https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YV_nu5-8ECQ

Introduction

Digital Public Infrastructures (DPI) often revolve around digital identity systems. These systems can empower people by enabling secure access to public and private services — but they can also threaten privacy if poorly designed.

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Identity is always contextual. Being identified in a digital world usually means being traced and profiled. But a government issued legal identity is very different from a social media account (e.g. Login with Facebook).

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Identity in DPI is not one-size-fits-all. Depending on the context, a person may need to:

• Prove their legal identity (e.g., applying for social benefits or renting a car)
• Use a pseudonym (e.g., contributing to an online forum or buying something)
• Stay fully anonymous (e.g., browsing public information or age-verification)

Maintaining the ability to choose between these modes is critical for protecting human dignity, freedom of expression, and non-discrimination.

Why It Matters

Without safeguards, DPI can lead to over-identification — requiring individuals to reveal their legal identity in situations where it is unnecessary, risky, or discriminatory.

Risks include:

• Real-name internet: Where anonymity becomes rare, and pseudonyms are discouraged or disallowed.
• Tracking across sectors: If a single identifier is used across multiple contexts, user behaviour can be linked to create detailed profiles.
• Chilling effects: People may avoid lawful activities or speech if they fear being identified.

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When identification becomes really cheap and as easy as paying with your phone, we will see a strong trend towards more identification in everyday situations where we used to have anonymity or pseudonymity.

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This is especially concerning for:

• Journalists and whistleblowers
• Members of marginalised or persecuted groups
• Undocumented migrants or asylum seekers