Blockchain technology to make adoption process more efficient

Tista’ taqra bil- Malti.

It has been announced that blockchain technology is to be used in the adoption sector. This is to both lessen the time involved in the process, as well as simplify the excessively complicated administrative procedure.

Right now, the process involves a large number of papers and applications.

A blockchain is a growing list of records, called blocks, that are connected using cryptography. This means it’s resistant to modification of the data.

The length of the process is greatly affected by the fact that papers and applications must be sent in by post. Furthermore, a large number of parties are involved in the process, such as the prospective adoptive parents, the accredited agencies, Malta’s Central Authority, the adoptee’s country, as well as health entities and the courts of both countries.

The use of blockchain technology will speed up this process, as well as provide documentation regarding the origins of the adoptee. This means that any information can be accessed at a later point.

This was all announced in a press conference by the Minister for Families Michael Falzon, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary for Digital Economy Clayton Bartolo.

Falzon stated that his personal wish is that such technology can lead to local adoptions being a possibility. He explained that 480 children are under a care order, and do not live with their biological parents.

On his end, Bartolo said that he’s satisfied that the digital economy is being tied up into increasing quality of life. He stated that blockchain technology is now not only being used for business purposes, but also to increase the transparency and efficiency involved in adoption.