Transparent and Verifiable Technology for Health, Finance, and Voting

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has emphasized the necessity for open-source, verifiable infrastructure in essential fields such as healthcare, finance, and governance, cautioning that centralized systems could undermine trust and security.

In a blog post published on Wednesday, Buterin contended that as digital infrastructure becomes integral to daily life, dependence on closed, opaque systems heightens the risk of exploitation and monopolization.

“Civilizations benefiting most from technological advancements are those that produce technology, not merely consume it,” he stated, adding that “openness and verifiability can combat global balkanization.”

Buterin envisions a future where verifiable devices underpin global systems. “We are likely to see digital technologies developed and operated by centralized companies,” he remarked. “However, we can strive for a preferable alternative.”

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Open, verifiable technology for health, finance, voting

Buterin pointed out that proprietary health technology can restrict access, create data monopolies, and expose users to surveillance threats. He cited the COVID-19 vaccine rollout as an example of how closed manufacturing and communication systems damaged public trust. Conversely, he praised initiatives like PopVax that employ open methodologies to decrease both costs and skepticism.

Similar worries apply to finance. Buterin highlighted the stark difference between the five seconds it took him to complete a crypto transaction and the half-hour, $119 cost involved in sending a signed legal document internationally. “Crypto wallets and blockchain-based systems demonstrate how open, verifiable infrastructure can eliminate inefficiencies,” he commented.

He also advocated for the creation of secure, open hardware and software for vital public systems, specifically voting. Citing years of skepticism regarding electronic voting machines, Buterin stressed that proprietary “black box” software cannot foster public trust.

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Buterin champions privacy

A strong proponent of privacy, Buterin argued in April that privacy should be a foundational design goal, asserting that blind trust in transparency and altruistic leadership is no longer viable. He stated that “there is no major nation where this assumption is widely accepted as true.”