Let’s quickly set the record straight, Estonia does not use blockchain for national digital identity management (though it is used for other similar purposes, like electronic health records). Estonia is on the cutting edge of digital government, and its adoption of blockchain is probably one of the most advanced in the world; but, it doesn’t use blockchain for digital identity. In a great bit of investigative sleuthing, which included conversations with Estonia’s CIO, Dave Birch set the record straight in an article published in March 2017.

Estonia’s digital identity system is perhaps the most technologically advanced solution in the world. It relies on best practice implementations of cryptography, hash functions, and merkle trees – and through this high-security identity, citizens are able to safely and surely access digital public services. As the blockchain tech footprint expands across Estonian public services, it’s inevitable that blockchain services like will be integrated with the nation’s digital identity systems.

Legal identities are of significant importance, enabling access to fundamental services like healthcare, education, and finance. As such, the integrity, certainty, and security of the nation’s pool of legal identities is of critical importance. With over 1.1 billion people across the globe lacking a legal identity, uncertain economic and political times, and data becoming harder to secure, we can expect blockchain to become part of the solution.

• Dave Birch myth busts Estonia’s blockchain-based digital identity solution
• Estonia government description of its E-Identity system