SecureKey Technologies Inc. announced May 1 that its digital identity network, Verified.Me, is now available for consumers of CIBC, Desjardins, RBC, Scotiabank and TD across Canada. Sun Life Financial Inc. has signed on as an early adopter and the first North American insurer on the service.

Clients and members of these financial institutions can use Verified.Me “to help verify their identities online with the services they need in a privacy-enhanced and secure way,” says SecureKey, adding that BMO and National Bank will be offering the service to their clients soon.

Built on Blockchain technology

SecureKey says Verified.Me is built on top of blockchain technology that simplifies the sharing of personal information, “while enabling businesses to achieve more streamlined, effective and cost-efficient client services and onboarding.”

Canada's major financial institutions and a number of digital identity network participants and innovation partners helped SecureKey bring the service to market.

One of the most enduring challenges of our time

“This announcement marks the first time that consumers are officially able to access the Verified.Me application and gain greater control over their digital identities,” said Greg Wolfond, Founder and CEO, SecureKey Technologies. “Digital identity is one of the most enduring challenges of our time, and having the opportunity to showcase how a network of cross-industry organizations can come together to build a solution by and for consumers is an honour. We are excited to bring this first-of-its-kind network to market and look forward to its expansion as new participants join our service.”

Collaboration sparks innovation

"The launch of Verified.Me is an exciting step towards making it easier for our Clients to do business with us, and ensuring that their access to Sun Life services is safe and secure," said Mark Saunders, Executive Vice-President and Chief Information Officer, Sun Life. "To be able to bring this to market and provide Canadians with more control over their digital identities speaks to the importance of industry partnerships and collaboration to spark innovation."

The Verified.Me app is available to iOS and Android mobile phone users through the App Store and Google Play.