reclaimthenet on Nostr: The UN’s push for digital IDs in Africa is gaining traction, but not without ...

The UN’s push for digital IDs in Africa is gaining traction, but not without controversy. Under the banner of “digital inclusion,” programs in Ethiopia and Eswatini are part of the UN’s Global Digital Compact, involving agencies like UNDP and UNESCO. Proponents say these systems will improve access to services, but critics warn they could create centralized surveillance networks ripe for abuse.

While these programs are marketed as tools for progress, global backlash highlights their risks. Without strong safeguards, they could enable unprecedented tracking and data exploitation. If history is a guide, resistance to such schemes is likely to grow.