Following last week\'s announcement that Canadian researchers are going to run blockchain trials on government contracts, discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos have resulted in another Canadian blockchain initiative. The WEF have come up with a policy document for a passenger identification system called Known Traveler Digital Identity (KTDI). The concept works on the principle that every individual traveller has direct control via the encrypted distributed ledger of their personal ID, and all the component parts of it.

Canada will work with its WEF partners to test the new technology, which is directed specifically towards cross-border travel. The pilot program is based on a proof-of-concept protocol and will be carried out by Canada and the Netherlands, using Accenture, the first trial system based on KTDI. If successful, the venture could be a huge advance in the move towards mainstream acceptance of blockchain-based tech.

If a traveller\'s KTDI components are stored securely and transparently in a decentralised manner, any aspect of the traveller\'s personal ID can be directed at any private-sector or government entities who require verification or risk assessment en route. Access will be available by authorities to verified personal data, comprising historical, biographic and biometric information, but not controlled by a central authority.