E-commerce platform Nuggets has opened up its mobile app Alpha to Apple iOS users.

The company uses blockchain technology to let customers make e-commerce payments, log in to services and verify their identities without having to share or store their personal data with anyone, not even Nuggets.

In the wake of the scandal surrounding Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, consumers are becoming far more concerned about protecting their identities online and regaining control over their data.

“Nuggets is all about giving consumers the chance to take back control of their data,” said Alastair Johnson, chief executive and co-founder of Nuggets. “Alpha offers the chance to become one of the very first people to do so.”

Access to the app is being given in limited batches to users who joined a whitelist, to enable initial testing. Users will be able to download Alpha, test the onboarding process, experiment with the login feature and offer feedback.

The company is releasing an Android Alpha in the coming weeks, and will be integrating the payment function within months.

Retailers and e-commerce providers looking to offer greater protection for their customers’ data can also integrate Nuggets’ technology with legacy systems.

Nuggets was one of several FinTech firms to use the Financial Conduct Authority's regulatory sandbox, coming through as part of its second cohort last year.

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