Open and verifiable tech for health, finance, vote

The co-founder of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin, called for open-source and verifiable infrastructure in the critical sectors, in particular health care, finance and governance, warning that centralized systems are likely to erode confidence and security.

In a blog article on Wednesday, Buterin argued that as digital infrastructure becomes integrated into daily life, based on closed systems, opaque systems increase the danger of abuse and monopolization.

“The civilizations that have drawn the most new waves of technology are not those that have consumed technology, but those that have produced it,” wrote Buterin, adding that “openness and verifiability can fight against global balkanization.”

Buterin said he is considering a world where verifiable devices form the backbone of global systems. “By default, we will probably get digital computer things that are built and managed by centralized companies,” he warned. “But we can try to head for a better alternative.”

In relation: The new regulations expose the gaps in confidentiality and compliance of blockchain

Open and verifiable tech for health, finance, vote

Buterin said that owner health technology can limit access, create data monopolies and expose users to monitoring risks. He underlined the deployment of the COVVI-19 vaccine as an example of how closed manufacturing and communication systems have undermined public confidence. On the other hand, he praised initiatives like Popvax, which use open processes to reduce costs and skepticism.

The same concerns apply to finance. Buterin noted the net contrast between the five seconds it took him to sign a cryptographic transaction and half an hour, $ 119 required to send a legal form signed abroad. “Cryptographic portfolios and blockchain-based systems are already showing how the open and verifiable infrastructure can reduce ineffectiveness,” he said.

He also called to create secure and open hardware and software for critical public systems, in particular the vote. Building on decades of skepticism towards electronic voting machines, Buterin stressed that the software ownership of “Black Box” cannot give confidence to the public.

In relation: The EU cat control law would push users to “web3 alternatives” – experts

Buterin defends privacy

Buterin was a vocal defender of privacy. In April, he declared that privacy should be a basic design objective, arguing that the blind faith in transparency and benevolent leadership is exceeded.