Page 42 - U4SSC Blockchain for smart sustainable cities

Figure 6: Smart cities dimensions of the debt relief initiative in The Hague

The tool combines a public-permissioned While this solution is being developed
blockchain and zero-knowledge proof specifically for the case of debt collection, it
cryptography. The solution uses open-source is also applicable to other situations where
technology from the Sovrin Foundation (2019), individuals need to make verifiable claims
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which provides a decentralized identifier for about themselves on a network of related, but
verifiable, self-sovereign digital identity (W3C, sparsely connected actors that, by law, cannot
2019). The tool was tested by Delft University share personal information. This means that the
of Technology to prove that it is secure, and solution has the potential to impact other areas
the lawyers of CMS have determined that the of government service delivery, including youth,
tool is compliant with Dutch and European migration and digital participation.
law. All results have been publicly reported by This case demonstrates the use of smart
CJIB. In the third phase, the tool will be tested. technology to contribute to the areas of smart
Currently, The Hague is fundraising for phase governance and smart people. As input, the
3 and examining how to embed the tool in intervention makes use of blockchain and
the operations of the debt collection agency. zero-knowledge proof cryptography. b 65 The
Challenges for this phase are: transformation that is facilitated includes
1. to design the user experience (UX) and user developing a new technology solution that allows
interface (UI), taking into account the vulner- individuals to share data with other agencies.
ability of the target group; and Agencies are also able to utilize the assigned
2. to connect the prototype to existing systems, data for the defined purpose without violating
which might be different for every city, while privacy laws. The solution is easily integrated
aligning to national digital identity initia- with existing legacy systems. The intervention
tives such as MijnOverheid , DigiD and De allows agencies access to trusted information
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Blauwe Knop . about individuals that other agencies hold,
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without needing to share these data. This
allows agencies to provide more appropriate
cost-effective services to individuals that take
account of their personal circumstances, making
the overall process less traumatic.

32 U4SSC: Blockchain for smart sustainable cities