  Governments across the world are testing different uses of the blockchain for
the delivery of their public services. Blockchain hashing - or the insertion of
data in the blockchain - is one of the potential applications of the blockchain
in this space. With this method, users can apply special scripts to add their
data to blockchain transactions, ensuring both immutability and publicity.
Blockchain hashing also secures the integrity of the original data stored on
central governmental databases. The paper starts by analysing possible
scenarios of hashing on the blockchain and assesses in which cases it may work
and in which it is less likely to add value to a public administration. Second,
the paper also compares this method with traditional digital signatures using
PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) and discusses standardisation in each domain.
Third, it also addresses issues related to concepts such as distributed ledger
technology and permissioned blockchains. Finally, it raises the question of
whether blockchain hashing is an effective solution for electronic governance,
and concludes that its value is controversial, even if it is improved by PKI
and other security measures. In this regard, we claim that governments need
first to identify pain points in governance, and then consider the trade-offs
of the blockchain as a potential solution versus other alternatives.
