Digital Accessible Online Movie Service for the Visually Impaired: Privacy Computing, Blockchain, and Secure Identity Verification

On October 19, during the torch relay of the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Ant Group product expert Zhang Xu, recognized for his contributions to digital accessibility, carried the 29th torch segment at the Jiande station.

Zhang has participated in multiple digital accessibility projects, and this year achieved a breakthrough in the accessible online movie service sector. The project, a collaboration among Ant Group, the Zhejiang Disabled Persons Federation, and Youku, leverages accessible identity verification, privacy computing, blockchain, and terminal security to protect the identity and intellectual‑property rights of visually impaired users.

Visually impaired users can authenticate their identity through the Alipay accessibility mini‑program, obtain a disability verification credential stored securely in the phone’s trusted environment, and then receive minimal‑disclosure authorization to access exclusive audio‑visual content on platforms such as Youku without leaving home.

The service introduces three major technical innovations: (1) accessible authentication methods like “wave” and “swipe” to replace traditional verification; (2) privacy‑computing techniques that disclose only the necessary disability type to platforms; and (3) blockchain and terminal‑security technologies that store verified credentials in a trusted environment rather than on any platform.

China has over 17 million visually impaired individuals, with a literacy‑illiteracy rate of 43%. While offline screenings are limited, online accessible streaming offers a “digital blind road” that removes time and location constraints, providing a broader cultural reach.

Current platform offerings include fully adapted, partially adapted, and standard versions of films. Because accessible versions are free, distinguishing user types is essential to protect copyright, making secure identity verification a critical step.

Chen Yang‑rong, head of the Zhejiang Disabled Persons Federation’s digital reform task force, emphasized that traditional verification methods expose personal data to platforms, risking misuse and fraud; the new solution safeguards privacy while delivering free services.

The distributed accessible identity authentication solution addresses personal data protection and meets the safety and convenience needs of visually impaired users. As privacy‑computing expert Cui Jin‑ming explained, only the minimal required information (e.g., whether the user is visually impaired) is disclosed after computation, acting as a protective “guardrail” for the digital pathway.

Globally, the Marrakesh Treaty, effective in China since May 5, 2022, eliminates copyright barriers for blind and visually impaired readers, reinforcing the importance of accessible digital content.

Chen Yang‑rong concluded that the accessible online movie service not only fulfills viewing needs but also establishes a scalable model for identity verification, enabling more organizations to provide inclusive digital services in the future.