Social Network Adopts Civic's Blockchain ID System

Blockchain identity startup Civic has launched a decentralized verification system - and a social media platform for the crypto community is already moving to adopt it.

Dubbed "ID Codes," the mechanism has been integrated with the website of Hilo, a social network platform for both experienced cryptocurrency traders and "Newbies" that, when launched, will provide information on crypto tokens and prices.

According to Civic, ID Codes provide users and institutions with an independent way to authenticate their identity for social media profiles, company profiles and more.

After users undergo verification by submitting a selfie and scans of their driver's license and passport, the company provides them with a unique link and verified profile that is then encoded on Civic's network.

CEO Vinny Lingham told CoinDesk in an interview that Civic is attempting to resolve what he considers to be the problematic notion that anonymity is a good thing.

One common scheme Civic hopes to prevent, in particular, is the false listing of top industry executives as advisors on scam ICO websites - something of which Lingham himself has been a victim.

"Why we're excited about Civic ID Codes to start off with is it allows us to authenticate our team members, our investors and our advisors on our website," Hilo founder and CEO Monica Puchner told CoinDesk.

Looking ahead. Lingham said Civic plans to fully roll out ID Codes in the third quarter of this year.

Lingham said 60 to 70 businesses have committed to using ID Codes, and he also expects the companies he advises to adopt the technology.

"If you see me listed as an advisor somewhere and you don't see the ID Code in probably the next month or two, you should probably double-check that, because I'm going to make sure all my companies start using it," he said.