Gathering and Sharing Session: Digital ID and Human Rights C | IGF 2023 Networking Session #166

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There is a growing interest in Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs), and more investments are being directed towards them. It is crucial to develop a safeguards framework to protect the safety, security, human rights, and sustainability considerations associated with these infrastructures.

This framework aims to ensure that investments in digital infrastructure do not lead to violations in these areas.

Addressing the issue of exclusion in digital public infrastructures, especially for marginalized groups, is also important. Efforts should be made to avoid excluding these groups and ensure that DPIs are accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Prominent advocate Amandeep Singh Gill suggests the formation of multi-stakeholder partnerships to develop and implement effective safeguards.

Involving various stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector, these partnerships can establish comprehensive safeguards for DPIs.

To support this initiative, the UN Secretary-General’s tech envoy launched an initiative with the UNDP on DPI safeguards, reflecting a positive sentiment towards the need for these safeguards.

Regarding governance, there are plans to establish a governance structure for the DPI initiative.

This structure will include an advisory board and a steering committee, contributing to the decision-making process. Additionally, efforts are underway to identify learning partners who can provide valuable insights and contribute to the development of this governance structure.

Engaging civil society and the private sector is also a priority, particularly in developing digital ID systems.

Consultations with these stakeholders are planned, recognizing the key role the private sector can play in developing digital identification systems.

The overarching goal is to leverage DPIs in a human-centered and human rights-respecting manner to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Planning for a good and ambitious global digital compact is underway to ensure DPIs significantly contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

A noteworthy observation is Amandeep Singh Gill’s emphasis on joint participation in building and maintaining digital platforms.

He suggests involving the community in the process, enabling them to contribute to the development and maintenance of digital systems.

Furthermore, Amandeep Singh Gill highlights the importance of accountability for UN agencies in maintaining DPIs and digital services.

He suggests holding these agencies accountable as per the safeguards framework to ensure effective management of digital services.

In conclusion, there is a need to establish a safeguards framework around DPIs, ensuring safety, security, human rights, and sustainability considerations are not violated.

Multi-stakeholder partnerships, governance structures, and engagement with civil society and the private sector are key elements in developing and implementing effective safeguards. Leveraging DPIs in a human-centered manner can significantly contribute to the attainment of the SDGs. Additionally, promoting joint participation and accountability are crucial in maintaining DPIs and digital services on the ground.

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The speakers at the event covered various topics related to proactivity, digital ID systems, biometrics, and government cooperation. They highlighted the importance of proactive initiatives within organizations, advocating for the need to put things on the agenda themselves. The audience agreed that Caitlyn’s organization supports proactivity and is not just reactive but also proactive.

The discussion also touched upon the implementation of digital ID systems in different countries.

The World Bank has been advocating for the entity system, which is being used in countries with numerous problems. The audience believes that the entity system is perceived as a solution for struggling countries, and the World Bank has been endorsing it as a proposed fix.

The government in Mexico is trying to pass a law to expand the digital ID system, raising concerns about the use of funds collected through digital ID.

Similarly, there is an expectation for the implementation of mandatory digital ID in Mexico. In Iraq, it was stated that there is currently no biometric system in place.

The introduction of biometric passports worldwide has been initially rejected by most countries but later accepted.

Hugo Cordova, an employee of the European Parliament, is currently working on legislation to introduce electronic IDs for Europe.

Concerns were raised about the coexistence of international and national digital identity initiatives and their respective purposes. The audience highlighted the need for clarity on how multiple digital identity initiatives would cohabit.

The discussion also touched upon the entry process for various coalitions, as Camila wanted to know how to join.

Armando Manzuela from the Dominican Republic expressed his interest in seeing the scope of a study extended to other countries within the same region.

He offered to share plenty of information from his country. The convergence of national and supernationals electronic identity systems into international standards was seen as a possibility in the future, but concerns were raised about the governance of these systems and the need for privacy safeguards.

The principle of necessity was emphasized for digital ID systems, as it was argued that each system should be based on the principle of necessity and not applicable to all contexts.

Digital ID systems were also discussed as socio-technical systems, not just technological systems, where context should be carefully considered in analyses. Extensive documentation of the harms that digital ID systems can create and exacerbate was also highlighted.

The speakers also touched upon the importance of public interest litigation and the potential involvement of individuals.

The audience acknowledged and appreciated the influence of work done on multinational and national issues related to digital identification. However, concerns were raised about the lack of engagement with communities and the penetration level of the ID system in certain countries.

The significance of digital identity as the entry to the digital economy and society was discussed.

The implementation of digital identity was seen as a way to track individuals, and there was increasing momentum from both the government and private sector for its implementation. However, doubts were raised about whether digital identity could be implemented correctly given the pressure.

There was mention of a private meeting on litigation about digital ID, indicating that Peter from Access Now is planning to discuss this topic at the meeting.

He also expressed the need for a better acronym for their network.

The importance of multilateral engagement for the proactive development of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) safeguards initiative was discussed. The need for a deeper and more participatory engagement process beyond unilateral consultation was emphasized, as the coalition aimed to not just contribute inputs but also receive feedback.

The upcoming summit of the future was seen as a pivotal moment for the coalition.

The tech envoy’s insight into the safeguards process’ timeline and key engagement opportunities was highly sought after, as the coalition was eager to prepare for future engagements.

The coalition also stressed the importance of civil society involvement and accountability in digitization interventions.

The UNDP’s signing of an MOU with the Kenyan government regarding digital ID without civil society or community engagement was criticized. The audience believed that the UNDP should not abet exclusion in digitization interventions and should be accountable.

Transparency and the right to information were seen as essential, and there were concerns about the lack of information regarding the negotiated protection mechanisms concerning civil society.

The benefits of open-source technology for critical systems development by the government were highlighted.

Open-source technology was seen as a way to ensure safety, security, and trust in government systems, and it also opened up the possibility for global contribution to what was being built. The audience expressed the belief that everything should be digitized using open-source technology to prevent issues faced by countries with their digital systems.

Regarding government cooperation, the audience expressed a desire for more transparency and communication.

There were incidents of claimed public participation without actual involvement, and progress in advocacy in Kenya related to the Data Protection Act and digital access was discussed. It was stressed that the government should work effectively with civil societies and the UNDP.

The event also saw community members expressing their interest in joining the community and asking how to get involved.

One audience member, who represented a tech company, T4Beast, with a strong presence in the MENA region, highlighted their expertise in supervision, digitalization, and security. The audience believed that T4Beast was the biggest in the region and valued their close partnership in META.

In conclusion, the event covered a wide range of topics related to proactivity, digital ID systems, biometrics, and government cooperation.

The speakers and audience highlighted the importance of proactive initiatives, community engagement, transparency, open-source technology, and effective communication between stakeholders. They also discussed the potential risks and benefits associated with the implementation of digital ID systems. The speakers emphasized the need for context-specific approaches to digital ID systems and the importance of privacy safeguards.

Overall, the event provided valuable insights and sparked important discussions about the challenges and opportunities in the digital identification landscape.

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Strategic litigation has generated significant interest within civil society communities. To address this, a strategic litigation training workshop has been organized. The decision to hold this workshop was influenced by a heat mapping exercise conducted by the organization, which likely revealed a high demand for knowledge and expertise in this area.

In addition, the concept of ‘Digital ID done right’ was discussed, highlighting its dynamic nature.

It was emphasized that Digital ID implementation should not be seen as a one-time event but rather an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring and adaptation to local, national, and regional contexts. This recognition acknowledges the evolving nature of society and the need for digital identification systems to respond accordingly.

Moreover, the importance of incorporating frameworks for ongoing feedback was emphasized.

It was suggested that these frameworks are crucial in addressing exclusion and rectifying any issues that may arise during the implementation of Digital ID systems. By continuously seeking feedback from individuals affected by these systems, organizations can ensure they are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.

In conclusion, strategic litigation has garnered significant interest within civil society communities, leading to the organization of a dedicated training workshop.

Furthermore, the concept of ‘Digital ID done right’ recognizes the need for constant monitoring and adaptation to effectively respond to evolving societal dynamics. Incorporating feedback frameworks is crucial to ensure the inclusivity and effectiveness of Digital ID systems.

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The analysis of the provided information highlights several important points made by the speakers during the discussion. Firstly, it is noted that the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) community has made significant progress since the last meeting. This progress includes the development of a structured framework, regular communication, and the identification of thematic areas.

These advancements suggest a more organized and coordinated approach within the IGF community.

The community places great importance on deliberate and intentional learning, leveraging each other’s strengths, and identifying gaps and opportunities. They have conducted exercises such as mapping the needs and capabilities of members to identify areas for knowledge sharing and influence.

By focusing on capacity building in areas with greater needs, they aim to create a supportive and collaborative environment.

In terms of their focus, the community is working on two thematic groups: one focusing on national-level interventions and the other on multilateral engagement.

This demonstrates their commitment to addressing different aspects and levels of digital identification issues.

The World Bank has advocated for the use of an entity system in countries facing various problems. However, it is important to note that digital ID should not be conflated with legal identity, as they serve different purposes.

The community recognizes the need for disentanglement between these two concepts and is working towards achieving a common understanding.

The engagement in multilateral forums, particularly in the context of ID4D, has presented challenges. There have been both online conversations and discussions at events like RiceCon.

However, misunderstandings in approach have been observed, emphasizing the complexities involved in addressing digital identity system issues at a global level.

Strategizing public interest litigation has been seen as an effective approach to address multinational and national issues related to digital identification.

The analysis reveals that countries like Uganda are interested in learning from Kenya’s experiences in working on digital identification issues. Furthermore, the community’s engagement with civil societies and organizations from India and Jamaica showcases the potential for cross-country collaboration.

The analysis also emphasizes the importance of constant oversight and updates in socio-technical systems like digital ID.

These systems need to adapt and evolve along with societal changes and should have mechanisms in place for feedback and addressing exclusions and other issues.

Public involvement and collaboration are encouraged for the development and maintenance of digital public infrastructure (DPI) and digital services.

By involving the public, UN agencies can be held accountable, promoting a more transparent and inclusive approach.

The use of open-source technology in government systems is suggested as a way to develop secure, trusted, and effective systems. Open-source technology allows for a deeper understanding of how systems operate and enables technical communities from different countries to contribute to their development.

It is considered a key solution to address ongoing challenges faced by countries in their digital systems.

In conclusion, the analysis highlights the progress made by the IGF community in terms of structure, communication, and thematic areas. It also emphasizes their deliberate approach to learning, collaboration, and capacity building.

The recognition of the need for disentanglement between legal identity and digital ID, as well as the challenges in multilateral engagement, are notable observations. The effectiveness of strategic litigation in addressing digital identification issues at various levels is also highlighted.

Finally, the analysis underscores the importance of constant oversight and updates in socio-technical systems, as well as the value of public involvement and the use of open-source technology in government systems.

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The organization being discussed is a global coalition of civil society comprising diverse members, ranging from small grassroots organizations to large multinational NGOs. These members employ various approaches, including advocacy, lobbying, and strategic litigation, to advance their goals.

A significant highlight is the organization’s transition from a reactive to a proactive approach in the context of digital identity systems.

Instead of merely reacting to opportunities, they now actively identify and pursue them. This proactive mindset enables them to develop shared resources and leverage their community’s strengths to achieve more inclusive outcomes.

Multilateral engagement and national level advocacy have been identified as key priorities for collective action.

The organization seeks to incorporate its members’ concerns, information, and expertise in multilateral spaces and international organizations. Additionally, they focus on advocacy at the national level to promote human rights.

Speaker 1 demonstrates a positive stance towards the organization’s evolution and development.

They highlight achievements such as agreeing on a shared vision, formalizing a structure, and identifying key priorities. The transition from a reactive to proactive approach is seen as a significant advancement.

The ongoing discussion revolves around clarifying the distinction between legal identity and digital ID.

This discussion takes place both online and at RiceCon, and the community perceives productive progress. The incorporation of safeguards and remedies is central to this ongoing debate.

It is important to note that there have been misunderstandings regarding civil society’s approach to digital identity systems.

Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the difference between legal identity and digital ID. The speaker does not oppose digital IDs but emphasizes the need for appropriate safeguards to protect individuals’ rights.

In summary, the organization is a global coalition of civil society with diverse membership and approaches.

They have transitioned to a proactive approach towards digital identity systems, and prioritize multilateral engagement and national level advocacy. The ongoing discussion revolves around clarifying the distinction between legal identity and digital ID while highlighting the importance of safeguards and remedies.

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The coalition’s initiative in Costa Rica involves conducting an exercise to map the needs and capabilities of its members with the aim of facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building. This initiative is driven by the recognition that effective collaboration and partnerships are essential in achieving the goals outlined in SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals.

Through this mapping exercise, the coalition has sought to identify a balance between the expertise that exists within its member organizations and the areas where development is needed.

The exercise was successful in pinpointing the strengths and needs of the coalition’s members, providing valuable insights to guide future actions.

The mapping exercise revealed that some members excel in research fields such as discrimination, economic and social rights, privacy and data protections.

On the other hand, there were identified needs in areas such as comparative examples, collective actions, surveillance fields, transparency, and access to information. This comprehensive understanding of the capabilities and gaps within the coalition’s organizations is crucial for effective collaboration and targeted capacity-building efforts.

In light of these findings, the coalition has encouraged its members to support each other by sharing their expertise and learning collectively.

By populating the cells according to their strengths and needs, the members can better grasp the areas where support can be given and received. This collaborative effort aims to build capacity and address the identified needs collectively, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the coalition in working towards its goals.

Overall, the mapping exercise conducted by the coalition in Costa Rica has provided valuable insight into the needs and capabilities of its member organizations.

By leveraging the strengths and expertise of its members and addressing the identified needs through collaborative learning, the coalition is well-positioned to make significant progress towards its objectives. This initiative demonstrates the power of partnerships and knowledge sharing in achieving the goals set forth in SDG 17.

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Speaker 3 discusses two initiatives aimed at solving problems within the coalition. The first initiative is the National Legislation Mapping Group, which conducts mapping exercises to understand the development of ID systems in different countries. This group recognizes that the issuing and implementation of nationality programs vary greatly across the world and seeks to compare and understand these differences.

By doing so, they aim to identify best practices and foster collaboration between countries.

The importance of the National Legislation Mapping Group’s work is emphasized by Speaker 3. Through their mapping exercises, the group hopes to create a comprehensive understanding of the different approaches and challenges in developing ID systems.

This knowledge can then be used to inform policy decisions and drive innovation in the field of identity management. The group’s work is particularly relevant to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as it aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of identification processes worldwide.

Speaker 3 also highlights the collaborative and flexible nature of the methodology used by the mapping group.

Each member contributes their ideas to the development of the methodology, ensuring that it reflects diverse perspectives and is adaptable to different contexts. This flexibility is vital for newcomers to easily understand and contribute to the mapping exercises.

Furthermore, the National Legislation Mapping Group has specific goals and aims for its work.

They aim to develop a tool that can be hosted on each organization’s website, making the information easily accessible to stakeholders. This tool would enable organizations to compare and learn from the different legislative approaches employed by countries around the world.

Additionally, the group aspires to adopt a more quantitative approach in the future, further enhancing the accuracy and comprehensiveness of their mapping exercises.

In conclusion, the initiatives discussed by Speaker 3 are positive steps towards achieving the goals of the coalition.

By mapping the development of ID systems and understanding the varying approaches to nationality programs, the National Legislation Mapping Group is contributing to the partnership for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Their collaborative and flexible methodology ensures that all members of the group can contribute effectively.

The goals and aims of the mapping group highlight their commitment to advancing knowledge and promoting best practices in the field of identity management. Ultimately, these initiatives have the potential to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and create positive change within the coalition.

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The Multilateral Working Group is a dedicated initiative that aims to enhance expertise building on a global scale while ensuring more strategic and coordinated engagement in multilateral forums. The group’s primary focus is on providing training related to technology, science, and standards, equipping members with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively participate in these international platforms.

This approach not only increases the group’s collective understanding of these subjects but also enables them to actively contribute to global development and problem-solving.

In addition to knowledge-building initiatives, the Multilateral Working Group also plays a crucial role in facilitating the participation of its members in international forums.

They recognise the importance of having a diverse range of voices and perspectives in these discussions and, therefore, provide funding to support the presence of more members. This financial assistance ensures that individuals from various national contexts can actively engage and contribute to multilateral forums, enabling a more inclusive and comprehensive dialogue.

Another important aspect highlighted in the analysis is the significance of collective efforts in addressing issues related to identification systems.

The importance of this collective approach was emphasised by the community involved in the study. They stressed the need for a unified and collaborative approach, acknowledging that tackling such complex issues requires the collective knowledge, skills, and resources of a diverse group of individuals and organisations.

To support this collective effort, the community developed a toolkit aimed at digital rights activists.

This toolkit provides valuable insights into the intricate complexities associated with identification systems. Its purpose is to aid advocacy, mobilisation, and education on this topic. By equipping activists with a deeper understanding of identification systems, the toolkit empowers them to effectively advocate for policies and practices that align with the principles of peace, justice, and strong institutions, as outlined in SDG16.

In conclusion, the Multilateral Working Group’s focus on expertise building and strategic engagement in multilateral forums highlights their commitment to global collaboration and problem-solving.

By providing training on important subjects and facilitating diverse participation in international platforms, the group aims to enhance the collective knowledge and impact of their members. Furthermore, the emphasis on the importance of collective efforts in addressing identification systems showcases the community’s dedication to promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.

The development of a toolkit further supports this objective by empowering activists to advocate for positive change in this area.

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The team responsible for organising the Summit for the Future has developed a plan to host multiple convenings in the lead-up to the summit. These convenings aim to gather input and feedback on the overall process, ensuring that a diverse range of perspectives and ideas are considered.

In addition to in-person convenings, a virtual platform will be provided for individuals unable to attend in person. This platform will enable participants to share their experiences and contribute to the dialogue, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to actively participate and provide insights, regardless of physical presence.

One of the summit speakers strongly advocates for open dialogue and collective input, emphasising the importance of civil society’s involvement. The speaker encourages civil society to engage and participate in the summit’s discussions. This approach highlights the significance of inclusivity and diversity in decision-making processes and underscores the role of civil society in shaping the summit’s outcomes.

Overall, the team’s plan for the convenings, the inclusion of a virtual platform, and the call for open dialogue and collective input demonstrate a commitment to creating an accessible, inclusive, and responsive space. This approach aims to represent a wide range of voices and interests, fostering collaboration and partnership during the summit.