Tech Mahindra, EarthID partner to create SSI-powered metaverse platform

Tech Mahindra has announced a strategic partnership with EarthID, a decentralized identity management platform, to collaborate on a self-sovereign identity (SSI) powered Metaverse.

The aim is to create a blueprint for a platform that provides users with control over their data, privacy, and consent in the Metaverse environment.

The SSI-powered Metaverse platform will not only empower users but also enable enterprises to safeguard their Metaverse environments from potential threats such as DDoS attacks, data breaches, and phishing attacks. By mitigating security concerns associated with stolen identities and sensitive data, the SSI-powered Metaverse will help prevent substantial legal and financial losses.

Tech Mahindra and EarthID will integrate the latter’s blockchain-based decentralized identification capabilities into the Indian IT company’s new SSI-powered metaverse platform. The collaboration aims to enhance the security of the platform for both users and enterprises.

Self-sovereign identities are at the core of this initiative, providing verified and authentic credentials linked to real-world verification data, including biometrics. By leveraging blockchain technology and zero-knowledge proofs, users gain the ability to self-manage their digital identities, eliminating the need for centralized storage and management by third parties.

Priya Guliani — EarthID CEO said: “The advent of Metaverse has posed a challenge to organizations to provide a seamless, frictionless, and secure experience that attracts and retains customers. EarthID offers a user-centric, decentralized identity platform that is easily integrable, interoperable, and reusable across various Metaverses.

“Our partnership with Tech Mahindra will enable our enterprise clients to create immersive and secure experiences for their customers, employees, and partners, improving stakeholder engagement and brand loyalty.”

Together, Tech Mahindra and EarthID will develop cutting-edge solutions to address identity theft, optimize costs, and advance sustainability in the Metaverse landscape. The partnership aligns with Tech Mahindra’s NXT.NOW framework, which focuses on enhancing the “Human Centric Experience” and investing in emerging technologies to drive digital transformation and cater to evolving customer needs.

The collaboration between Tech Mahindra and EarthID aims to deliver industry-leading solutions that prioritize data protection, privacy, and differentiation for enterprises operating in the competitive Metaverse space.

According to Rajesh Dhuddu, Tech Mahindra’s Global Business Head of Emerging Technology Practice, during the early days of the internet, prior to the establishment of a Safe Code of Practice for online interactions, unsuspecting internet users freely shared their Personally Identifiable Information (PII) without any restrictions. This careless behavior led to reputation risks, unauthorized access to user data, and instances of impersonation.

Rajesh Dhuddu said: “Thankfully, although the safety features of the internet have developed and users have grown more cautious and discretionary, the Metaverse still faces the same difficulties as it is too new and has no Code of Practice yet. We can now solve these challenges through our partnership with EarthID.

“It will enable us to create a secure system of interoperable identities for virtual worlds that will help users authenticate without revealing identity. It will also improve business value for our customers by empowering them to adopt and internalize Metaverse offerings, in a safe and secure way.”

Last year, Tech Mahindra launched its Metaverse practice called TechMVerse to offer its customers interactive and immersive experiences in the Metaverse.