Ethereum studio ConsenSys launches 'Internet-of-People' with digital IDs and assets secured on Ubuntu phones

New York City's decentralised apps studio ConsenSys is beginning its "Internet-of-People" campaign with Ethereum-based identity on Ubuntu phones and tablets.

ConsenSys and BlockApps are collaborating with the Ubuntu project's commercial sponsor, Canonical, to deliver web wallet and identity system uPort Biometric Identity tools on Ubuntu devices.

The Nimbus/uPort/Ubuntu proof-of-concept will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress on 22 February, said ConsenSys in a statement.

Nimbus permits users secure interaction with the Ethereum blockchain through biometric protection of cryptographic keys. Through this feature, users will be able to access Ethereum to use decentralised applications (DApps) and develop Ethereum blockchain software.

uPort

uPort represents the next generation of identity systems: the first identity system to enable self-sovereign identity, allowing the user to be in complete control of their identity and personal information, said ConsenSys.

The uPort attestation system allows third-party authorities as well as peers to validate the user's information creating both a rich social fabric as well as powering solid KYC/AML systems in the financial sector. Through uPort's selective disclosure system the user has a total overview over which of their peers, business partners or counterparties can access their information.

Ubuntu

The Ubuntu phone allows total control over the information users distribute online including digital identity. Ubuntu phones and tablets are ideal prototyping tools for building the next generation of mobile blockchain apps as they offer a combined development environment and a testing tool for mobile apps.

As well as inheriting from Ubuntu's security and respect for user's confidentiality, these devices build on strong relation created on the server and cloud side between Ubuntu and Ethereum.

Thibaut Rouffineau, head of devices marketing, Canonical, said: "Canonical is keen to support the development of blockchain applications and their expansion from business cloud solutions to mobile consumer applications. Working with ConsenSys and BlockApps on building a platform for the consumption and creation of blockchain-based mobile apps is the realisation of the promise of Ubuntu as the reinvention of personal mobile computing."

Christian Lundkvist, co-founder of uPort said: "A relationship between ConsenSys and Canonical will create a powerful merging of the technological offerings of both organisations. Powered by the proven Ubuntu operating system integrated with the bleeding edge digital identity tools of uPort, the Ubuntu phone will be a great step towards a fully self-sovereign and completely interconnected world."

Joseph Lubin, founder of ConsenSys, said: "The Ubuntu phone is an elegant revisioning of the smartphone experience. And incorporating the uPort persistent, portable Identity tools takes this elegance into a realm beyond, where identity is self-sovereign – fully controlled by the user, deeply secure and, like the phone itself, opens new vistas on the emerging decentralized web services."

Victor Wong, CEO of BlockApps, added: "The Nimbus uPort Convergence collaboration is a proof of concept of how BlockApps are extending the power of Ethereum-based private blockchains to mobile platform."