Blog
What defines a good Digital identity system? – A Case study of Kenya’s Digital ID
This month we share the use case study from a developing and emerging market country – Kenya. Kenya has a population of close to 51 million but their national identity documentation has been around since the colonial days. It took Kenya so many years to improve their national identity system which is their citizens’s legal form of identification that enables them access to goods and services.
Their way of implementing a digital identity system is focused on improving their National Identity System by digitizing it. But there have been legal implications surrounding the security and privacy of data. Even so it cost them a lot of money to improve the legacy system to full digitisation.
What defines a good Digital identity system?
If digital identities are conceived and designed with human rights, developmental goals, sustainability, and safety at the forefront, they might have a more transformative impact for the continent.6 – 6 c.f., Weitzberg, Cheesman, Martin, & Schoemaker, 2021.
And so from the case study of Kenya, we draw important points on what defines a good Digital Identity system.
- Social implications
A digital identity design should not marginalise people rather ensure everyone has equal access to services and technology. This includes ensuring the technology is accessible to all, easier to use. And does not restrict people of certain ethnicity, disability or social standing to have access to goods and services.
2. Sustainable
A good digital identity should be sustainable and less costly for citizens. The infrastructure should be easy to expand and upgrade at a low cost.
3. Privacy
A good digital identity should ensure the user’s privacy is in their hands or in their control, and users should be able to know who has access to their personal data.
4. Security
Data should be decentralised and multifactor authentication should be available to users.
5. Open standard
The technology used should be based on open standards that are certified by an internationally recognised body. Systems should not be locked in and should be easily able to be integrated with other systems.
6. Governance
Policy makers should have in place regulations to protect and govern digital identity systems, user data, privacy and security. System should comply with international best practice and controls that are made known to the public.
As a country, PNG can learn from those lessons to improve our own National Identity systems. The YuTru Digital ID addresses all these concerns, whilst being capable of revolutionising how business, both public and private, operates in PNG, now and into the future.
The full case study report of Kenya can be downloaded here.