United Nations Testing Vaccine-Tracking Digital ID Systems in Africa Ahead of Global Rollout
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The United Nations has been testing a new vaccine-tracking digital ID system in African countries ahead of a mass global rollout of the technology.
The plan, referred to in reports as “a comprehensive initiative,” is now taking place across the continent.
The digital ID is being driven by the UN development agency UNDP, as well as the UN Innovation Network, and even the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
This is one of the components of what’s known as the UN’s Global Digital Compact.
The UN is pitching tho initiatives in those countries as a way to supposedly develop better access to services and improve “digital inclusion.”
However, opponents around the world say the schemes create large, centralized surveillance networks.
As such, they are prone to misuse, particularly without stringent safeguards in place.
After the UN agencies previously formalized their initiatives in Kenya, the schemes are now being rolled out in Ethiopia and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).
These digital ID programs are being launched in cooperation with their governments.
In Ethiopia, the government is organizing ID card registration.
The plan is said to be a large-scale effort that encompasses financial services, healthcare, and education.
In Eswatini, the UNDP, together with the country’s government, carried out a digital readiness assessment.
The goal was to find out if Eswatini’s digital infrastructure in various sectors is capable of implementing digital ID programs at this time.