Blockchain health apps privatize COVID-19 data but security is a concern

In order to solve this problem, IBM Watson Health - a data, analytics and technology partner for the health industry - has launched a privacy-based application that will enable individuals to safely travel or return to physical locations upon showing COVID-19 test results and temperature scans.

Known as the "IBM Digital Health Pass," this platform leverages IBM blockchain technology to ensure user data remains private when shared with organizations that require a verified health pass.

Piscini further mentioned that medical data isn't stored on the platform, comparing the Digital Health Pass to a credit score.

In this case, the blockchain ledger captures an individual's health score, but organizations, or the verifiers, have no visibility into the user's personal data.

Similar to IBM's Digital Health Pass, distributed ledger technology platform Hedera Hashgraph has struck an agreement with Safe Health Systems, a partner of Mayo Clinic, to build a digital health ID system.

Known as "HealthCheck," a COVID-19 testing and health status solution built on the SAFE digital health platform.

Ken Mayer, the CEO of Safe Health Systems, mentioned during a recent Hedera Hashgraph webinar that Digital health IDs are created for individuals.

While both Digital Health Pass and the HealthCheck app leverage blockchain and distributed ledger technology to secure and privatize user data, concerns remain.

Even though Digital Health Pass and HealthCheck are regulatory compliant, Levi explained that understanding the data flow is important to ensure that an individual's data is never compromised.

Levi further explained that MiPasa - which was deployed on the IBM blockchain platform to collect and validate COVID-19 data for the World Health Organization - is similar to IBM's Digital Health Pass in that both platforms are consent-based.