‘Rise in global use of Aadhaar-like ID systems dangerous’, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• An open letter signed by 54 civil society groups and over 200 individuals warns against the increasing global adoption of Aadhaar-like digital identity systems.
• The letter highlights concerns regarding digital public infrastructure promoted by the Indian government, including the Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP).
• Organizations like Internet Freedom Foundation, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, and individuals such as Jean Drèze have endorsed the letter.
• Countries including Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, and Uganda are engaging with MOSIP to varying extents.

Detailed Insights:

• Aadhaar-like digital identity systems raise concerns about potential privacy violations, exclusion, and surveillance risks for citizens.
• Digital public infrastructure, while intended to improve service delivery, can create centralized databases vulnerable to misuse and data breaches.
• MOSIP, developed by IIIT Bengaluru, offers open-source tools for building digital identity platforms, but its implementation requires careful consideration of local contexts and safeguards.
• The promotion of Aadhaar-like systems globally raises questions about data security, cross-border data flows, and the potential for discrimination against marginalized communities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Digital Public Infrastructure: Shared digital platforms and systems that enable essential services and citizen engagement.
• Digital Identity: Electronic representation of an individual's identity, used for authentication and access to services.
• Open Source: Software with publicly accessible source code, allowing for modification and distribution.