Published Paper Details:

Digital identity systems are in fact becoming increasingly more common because of efficient service delivery and secure identity verification that are pushed for by governments and also private entities. However, these systems greatly concern certain people since they affect the people's citizenship rights. This paper critically examines digital identity infrastructures' implications for civil, political, and socio-economic rights. Drawing on global case studies and legal frameworks, the paper analyzes how centralized identity systems based on biometrics create new forms of exclusion particularly for marginalized populations. Denial of important services, for example, healthcare, education, as well as welfare benefits, has indeed occurred when digital authentication fails, effectively rendering people invisible to the state. The analysis identifies each of the dual roles as a digital identity. As per this analysis, it is both like an enabler and also like a gatekeeper. Poorly designed or implemented systems that can streamline access to public services may secure existing inequalities, encourage surveillance, as well as compromise data privacy. Democratic citizenship can be reinforced through transparent governance, through inclusive design, and through strong legal safeguards so that digital identity systems might not weaken it, as has been highlighted by the study's immediate necessity. Policymakers should have discussions on digital identity and consider it as being a social contract including rights-based obligations. They should consider it as no more than just a technological upgrade.