Spanish telecom giant Telefónica has joined Privado ID as a systems integrator to develop new digital identity solutions using decentralized technology.

According to a press release shared with crypto.news, Telefónica Tech, Telefónica’s digital business unit will work with Privado ID to create secure, privacy-centric services that comply with the latest European regulations on digital identity.

Privado ID, previously known as Polygon ID, was spun off from Polygon Labs in June 2024. The project specializes in privacy-focused digital identity solutions, enabling on-chain verification while safeguarding user privacy.

The partnership comes as the EU’s new digital identity rules, eIDAS 2.0, mandate that all EU Member States provide digital identity wallets to their citizens. With the 2026 deadline for Digital Identity Wallets approaching, Telefónica Tech and Privado ID are teaming up to create solutions that meet these standards.

Details of the partnership

As a part of the collaboration, Privado ID will be integrated with Telefónica Tech’s TrustOS platform, a managed blockchain service that facilitates secure and transparent digital transactions by connecting businesses to various blockchain networks.

Telefónica Tech will utilize Privado ID’s digital identity platform to enhance its content certification service by introducing the capability to issue certifications in a verifiable credential format, enabling users to automatically issue their accreditations, like training diplomas, academic qualifications, and attendance certificates, as secure and privacy-compliant verifiable credentials that can be stored in digital wallets.

Further, Telefónica Tech and Privado ID will develop digital identity proofs-of-concept, starting with an age verification system for secure access to adult content and gambling platforms while also exploring additional applications such as digital national identities, e-signature solutions, and privacy-preserving loyalty.

David Schwartz, CEO and Co-Founder of Privado ID, believes the collaboration will help “bring corporate clients into the Privado ID ecosystem.”

Telefónica’s foray into blockchain

Telefónica’s involvement in blockchain extends beyond this alliance. The company has previously collaborated with Chainlink to secure API connections on the Polygon network, using decentralized oracle technology, ensuring reliable data transfers between external systems and blockchain applications. 

In January, the telecom giant partnered with Nova Labs to roll out Helium Mobile Hotspots in Mexico, expanding mobile service coverage in selected areas. The Madrid-headquartered firm has also announced plans to build a metaverse following a 2022 agreement with chip manufacturer Qualcomm.