Data-driven identities
Silvia Masiero, Savita Bailur · 2021
Digital identity schemes have been framed by providers as routes to secure provision of essential services. The theoretical link between digital identity and development is unpacked in two ways: firstly, digital identity is seen as capable to provide the form of user recognition that public services require, making it possible to reduce exclusion errors in service provision. Secondly, digital identification can in theory minimise the unlawful inclusion of non-entitled beneficiaries into social welfare schemes, thus reducing inclusion errors within such programmes. But while linked to “development benefits” in multiple forms, digital identity schemes have been associated to issues of exclusion, data justice and perverse policy, reflecting broader and longer standing discussions in the information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) field. This chapter is articulated into three sections. The first section conceptualises data-driven identities and their theoretical links with socio-economic development. The second section proposes a framework for conceiving data-driven identities, focusing on aspects of access to services, back-end monitoring of service provision and the social policies underlying planning and delivery of services. The third section applies such a framework to diverse cases of digital identity schemes across the globe, from India’s Aadhaar to refugee schemes. In the conclusion, we draw a theoretical contribution to the literature on digital identity and socio-economic development and practical implications for countries embarking upon digital identity programmes.