Phase 1

Literature Review

DIGITAL IDENTITY - EMERGING TRENDS, DEBATES and CONTROVERSIES

Building on the rapid development digital identity, we decided to commission a dedicated literature review to support our work in developing a Global ID Code of Conduct. This review, written by Dr Eve Hayes de Kalaf (University of London) and Kimberly Fernandes (University of Pennsylvania), summarizes the emerging trends, debates, and controversies surrounding digital identities. The authors look at global examples of how digital identity is working in practice and re-iterate the requirements for inclusive and equitable solutions that work for all. 


 

If would like to discuss getting involved with our ongoing research and International Code of Conduct development, please get in touch with us.

 

As a result, five key principles have emerged through these findings that should be considered as foundational in the next step of co-creating this Identity Code of Conduct. These lie in acknowledging that:

                                                                                                                 

  1. The user is at the center of an ID ecosystem (not just one, but many ID systems).

  2. Social norms are changing and we need to acknowledge these—“one size does not fit all.”

  3. We need to move towards proportionality, vouching, tiered KYC, and e-KYC (drawing from other government data) to reduce the burden of identity on the user.

  4. Identification may be individual but we live in networks of people that already know us —we need to account better for delegated authorities and intermediaries.

  5. It is essential to build diversity in ID or ID-based design and development teams.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to our Code of Conduct sponsors!

 

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