A few weeks after the European regulation on digital identity came into effect, the Human Technology Foundation, with the financial support of Project Liberty Institute (PLI), publishes its report "Unlocking Digital Identity: Insights from Use Cases for Enhanced Implementation, Trustworthiness and Individual Empowerment", the result of several months of reflection led by Grimaud Valat, partner at DTMV Avocats and Senior Advisor of the Foundation.

Digital identity, essential for access to the digital economy and public services, also enables the implementation of reliable and autonomous systems. This report addresses the ethical, regulatory, and socio-economic aspects of these technologies and proposes solutions to ensure the development of an open and inclusive digital economy.

The Human Technology Foundation gathered an international working group composed of private decision-makers (Thales, Docaposte, McCarthy Tétrault, EY), experts, European and North American regulators including CNIL and the ITechLaw network, to study amore than 20 global use cases of digital identity systems. The report's conclusions were enriched by interviews with renowned experts such as Cédric O (Mistral AI) and Henri Verdier (Ambassador for Digital Affairs).

In an era where digital identity (Digital ID) systems are becoming a cornerstone of accessing the digital economy, public services, and online connectivity, the pressing need to ensure these systems are implemented with a high degree of trustworthiness and empowerment for individuals cannot be overstated. As public and private sectors stand on the cusp of major infrastructural decisions regarding Digital ID technologies, the implications of these choices extend beyond the technical and financial, touching on profound ethical and socio-economic dimensions. These decisions will ultimately shape the openness and inclusiveness of our digital economies.

As we navigate this complex terrain, the insights and recommendations offered by this report aim to guide multiple stakeholders — from policymakers and technology providers, to end-users and society at large — towards realizing the full potential of Digital ID systems.  In this report, we delve into the intricate web of challenges and opportunities presented by digital identity systems, by focusing on a series of four critical use cases:

• Online protection of minors,
• Health,
• Electronic voting,
• and authentication of content created by generative AI systems.

This study – based on collaborative efforts of an international working group of policy, legal, technology and identity specialists – not only unveils specific unresolved problems within these domains but also furnishes targeted recommendations aimed at enhancing the reliability and individual-centric nature of Digital ID systems.

‍

This report builds upon the conclusions and recommendations of a previous report of the Human Technology Foundation, published in conjunction with the Digital Identity and Authentication Council of Canada (“DIACC”), “Universal Digital Identity Policy Principles to Maximize Benefits for People: a shared European and Canadian perspective”. Therein,  the following set of policy design principles were defined to help guide the optimal development and implementation of digital identification policies:

‍

1- Digital identity policy must be people centered

• Digital identity must be inclusive
• Digital identity adoption must be voluntary
• Digital identity must be resilient
• Digital identity policy must be intuitive for both institutions and people
• Privacy must be central to digital identity policy

2- Digital identity policy must foster empowerment

• Digital identity must be user-controlled
• Digital identity must be based on informed consent
• Digital identity must allow data portability

3- Digital identity policy must encourage trust through governance

• Digital identity must be transparent
• Accountability for digital identity use must be well defined
• Digital identity policies require security
• Digital identity must encourage interoperability
• Digital identity policy must be future-proofed by focusing on desired outcomes
• Digital identity policy must be developed and evolved to strengthen public and private dialogue

Set against these principles, the previous HTF/DIACC report found that efforts to deploy digital identity solutions are hindered by a pervasive sentiment of ambivalence and distrust regarding digital identity.  If we are to take full advantage of the potential of digital identity to unlock access to services, users must be convinced that digital identity can be used to increase the security of individuals’ digital footprint and provide them with an enhanced sense of agency and autonomy in a digital world.

The detailed, use-case based findings presented here underscore a critical juncture in our journey towards a digital future. They reveal a landscape rife with challenges ranging from safeguarding minors in the digital realm to ensuring the integrity of our democratic processes and personal health data. Yet, within these challenges lie unparalleled opportunities to foster a digital environment that is secure, inclusive, and respects the rights and freedoms of all individuals.

By addressing the nuanced implications of digital identity in our increasingly interconnected world, we embark on a path towards a future where digital identity serves as a foundation for empowerment, trust, and the protection of individual rights in the digital age.