FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Digital identity – it matters that we get it right

Digital identity – it matters that we get it right

Leaders from government, business, international organisations, civil society and the humanitarian community have called for greater multistakeholder cooperation on digital identity.

The UNHCR, World Bank, World Food Programme, Consumers International, Omidyar Network, the Linux Foundation, FIDO Alliance, GSMA, Hyperledger, ID2020, Open Identity Exchange, Sovrin Foundation, World Identity Network, Accenture, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Mastercard, Microsoft, Sedicii and Visa have announced their commitment to strengthen collective action on this agenda. In an open call, they also encouraged other organisations to join in an initial multistakeholder gathering in spring 2018.
According to World Bank estimates, about 1.1 billion people lack formal identification. Digital identity and access systems can unlock a range of basic and empowering services for individuals, including financial inclusion, healthcare and education. Equally, they hold significant promise for helping refugees and displaced populations to access immediate and longer-term services.
Achieving progress will require that significant shared challenges be overcome. In addition to coordination challenges such as interoperability, individuals and communities have voiced concerns about flaws and vulnerabilities in existing systems that need to be addressed.
“Digital identities and access systems are foundational elements of our shared digital future,” said Derek O’Halloran, head of the World Economic Forum System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Digital Economy and Society.
“They offer tremendous opportunities for individuals and society, especially for those without formal ID. Additionally, we need to ensure that new approaches are being laid in a sustainable, inclusive and trustworthy manner. Governments, international organisations, civil society and business will all play a critical role in creating this future”.
This will require dedicated funds.
“We estimate it will take US$12 billion (Bt376.5 billion) to achieve identification for all. The World Bank will secure investments over $750 million in ID-related projects in the next three years and we will strive to mobilise more financing from other sources,” said Kristalina Georgieva, CEO, World Bank and co-chair of the Identification for Development (ID4D) High-Level Advisory Council with Amina J Mohammed, United Nations deputy secretary-general. “If we are to reach more than a billion people without proof of identity, we need everyone to work together, including countries, development partners, UN agencies, the private sector and civil society.”
Multistakeholder dialogue is needed on how to pursue the opportunities that come with digital identities and ensure protection of rights in a sustainable and responsible manner. It is critical to deliberate on who should create, control and benefit from people’s identity information. To empower individuals, identity systems need to enhance security and convenience, preserve privacy and uphold individual rights and freedoms. Adoption of shared principles, standards and practices, alongside innovations in technologies and implementation frameworks, will be important to support these goals.
“Individuals have the most to lose if things go wrong with digital ID – so they need control over how their identity is used and by whom, along with gold-standard data security and solid assurances that it won’t affect access, for example, to healthcare, welfare support or education, or key democratic rights to vote or speak out,” said Amanda Long, director-general, Consumers International.
“Without these guarantees, ID schemes will face opposition and fail to fulfil their potential, “ she said.
Recently emerged technologies will paly a major role.
“We believe that technologies like blockchain can play a powerful role in creating a secure, portable, personal solution for those living without identity, but technology alone isn’t enough,” said Peggy Johnson, executive vice president of business development, Microsoft.
“A challenge of this magnitude requires commitments and collaboration across sectors to develop the shared standards and principles required to deliver lasting impact.”
With the use of digital technologies across the world at an all-time high, and with the adoption of the Internet of things expected to connect over 200 billion devices to the Internet by 2020, the scope of identity management is also fast expanding to devices and legal entities.
Digital identity is relevant in a wide range of situations that require people and entities to prove who they are. There is no universal, “one-size-fits-all” approach. This is reflected in the diversity of approaches adopted in various ID and access systems implemented to date. Ongoing dialogue and coordinated action between stakeholders from across sectors, industries and regions will foster shared understanding of challenges and solutions, and accelerate global progress.
The World Economic Forum’s 48th Annual Meeting is wrapping up on January 26 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. Three thousand leaders from around the world have gathered in a collaborative effort to shape the global, regional and industry agendas.
The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting brings together governments, international organisations, business, civil society, cultural leaders, media, foremost experts and the young generation from all over the world, at the highest level and in representative ways.

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