India plans to use crypto tokens in upcoming native web browser

Indian citizens might soon have the option to sign documents digitally through crypto tokens. The feature is envisaged as part of a project to develop a national web browser spearheaded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

On Aug. 9, the ministry announced the launch of the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge, which hopes to “inspire and empower” developers from all corners of the country to create an indigenous web browser with an inbuilt Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) India root certificate. According to the release:

“[The] Proposed browser would also focus on accessibility and user friendliness, ensuring built-in support for individuals with diverse abilities.”

The announcement includes the ability to digitally sign documents using a crypto token, which would be embedded into the browser.

The competition will last three rounds: in the first round, participants will be limited to 18; after the second round, participants will be limited to eight, with the final winner granted around 34 million Indian rupees ($411,000).

The Indian government has been active in its regulatory efforts in recent months, especially regarding tech and crypto. Presiding at the intergovernmental forum of the 20 largest world economies, known as the G20, it supported the Financial Stability Board’s recommendations for a global crypto framework and called for special attention to be given to developing economies in potential guidelines for crypto.

In August, the lower house of India’s parliament approved a bill to ease data compliance regulations for Big Tech companies. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 would simplify storage, processing and transfer standards for global tech giants like Google, Meta and Microsoft and local firms.

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