April 8, 2021

WILMINGTON, NC—As privacy concerns related to sharing COVID-19 vaccination status have driven Governor DeSantis of Florida and Governor Abbot of Texas to issue executive orders blocking mandated vaccine passports, one private company has already taken significant steps to protect private data from abuse and misuse by government and big tech corporations.

Located in North Carolina, CastleBranch has developed Real Vaccination ID, a driver’s license–sized card providing verified physical and digital proof of vaccination status. Prior to being issued a card, individuals are asked to submit proof of their vaccination status, along with their name, date of birth, address, photo ID and other personal identifiers. A QR code and unique access code on the back of the card allows the cardholder to share their primary–source vaccination documents with third parties – but only with the cardholder’s express permission and consent.

“CastleBranch stands firm in our commitment to protecting an individual’s private, personal data from those who would seek to abuse it,” said Brett Martin, CEO of CastleBranch. “Unlike many big tech corporations, we do not and will not use this data without consent – including sharing or selling private information to advertisers, corporations, or governments. This is your data – and only you should decide where and how it gets used.”

Real Vaccination ID is not a government–issued card, nor is it linked in any way to big tech. When the card was first launched in January 2021, Martin committed on day–one that all data used to create the card would remain the property of and completely controlled by the individual. With Real Vaccination ID, cardholders have a responsible and convenient path forward to communicate their vaccination status, without compromising their data or private information.

CastleBranch is an infectious disease screening company with 20+ years of experience reviewing over 35 million medical documents and vaccine records, as well as an accredited consumer reporting agency with strict processes in place to protect sensitive personal information from abuse and misuse.

For more information on Real Vaccination ID cards, visit www.RealVaccinationID.com.