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Draft Recommendation on the Governance of Digital Identity
Description
Being able to prove you are who you say you are underpins access to a variety of essential services across the public and private sector. This can include reviewing your medical records, traveling abroad, running a business, or opening a bank account. Traditional identity verification involves physical proof of one's identity, such as a birth certificate, driver's licence, ID card, or passport, which are typically provided by trusted government sources and recognise important details like one's name, birthdate, and place of birth.
As essential services have moved online, digital channels have emerged to handle identity verification processes and proofs and authentication of verified identity claims. Digital credentials and wallets, eID cards, and mobile ID applications provided by either public or private entities have all contributed to the evolution of the digital identity landscape. Despite these advancements, in many countries there remains often a lack of cross-sector collaboration, interoperability and poor-quality user experience. As more and more essential services are accessed online and across borders, improving the governance and implementation of digital identity systems in line with user needs becomes important.
The OECD’s Public Governance Committee and its Working Party of Senior Digital Government Officials (E-Leaders) have developed a draft Recommendation on the Governance of Digital Identity that encourages its Adherents to develop and govern digital identity systems as digital public infrastructure. This involves creating and aligning sound and future-proof policies and regulations for solution providers, as well as promoting cross-sector coordination, international collaboration, and a healthy market for identity solutions. The development of digital identity systems should be rooted in the needs of users and service providers, respecting democratic values and human rights, including by ensuring the inclusion of vulnerable groups and minorities, and the protection of privacy.
The draft Recommendation on the Governance of Digital Identity aims to support Adherents’ efforts to ensure reliable and trusted access to digital identity for natural and legal persons that is portable across locations, technologies and sectors.
The draft Recommendation presents a set of principles organised around three pillars:
- Developing user-centred and inclusive digital identity systems
- Strengthening the governance of digital identity
- Enabling cross-border use of digital identity
The consultation is open to government officials, civil society organisations, international organisations and interested citizens and stakeholders.
If approved by the OECD Council, the Recommendation will form the basis for the OECD to serve as a forum for exchanging information, guidance, and monitoring activities and emerging trends around the governance of digital identity.
What is an OECD Recommendation?
An OECD Recommendation is a legal instrument adopted by the OECD Council. Recommendations are not legally binding but represent a political commitment to the principles they contain and an expectation that Adherents will do their best to implement them. There are currently around 180 OECD Recommendations in force. For more information, please consult the online Compendium of OECD Legal Instruments.
Purpose of the public consultation
The aim of the public consultation is to ensure that the final text reflects the experience, needs and aspirations of the international community concerning the governance of digital identity.
Inputs collected during the public consultation will help inform the finalisation of the draft Recommendation. They will be analysed by the OECD Secretariat and a revised version will be discussed by the relevant OECD bodies. Ultimately, the Recommendation will require the approval of the Public Governance Committee after which it would be presented to the OECD Council for adoption.
Guidance on providing feedback
Parties interested in commenting on the draft Recommendation can send written comments in English or French to eleaders@oecd.org or comment directly through the Engagement Platform no later than 31st March 2023.
Comments submitted on behalf of another person or group of persons should identify all enterprises or individuals who are members of the collective group, or the person(s) on whose behalf the commentator(s) is/are acting.
Your rights
Inputs received by email will be analysed and the OECD may publish them, but only in an aggregated and anonymous manner. All comments posted via the Engagement Platform will be subject to moderation but should be expected to be made public.
Any personal data provided as part of this consultation is protected consistent with the OECD Data Protection Rules. If you have further queries or complaints related to the processing of your personal data, please contact the OECD Data Protection Officer. If you need further assistance in resolving claims related to personal data protection you can contact the OECD Data Protection Commissioner.
Questions?
For further information please contact eleaders@oecd.org
VIII.7. Develop a comprehensive roadmap that outlines the necessary steps to enable the recognition of digital identity solutions, associated attributes, and credentials both domestically and internationally. This roadmap should include specific plans for:
Question: Would be possible to deliver some guidance for such roadmap? I think if all countries are going to be using standards and aligning globally, we could make things easier for them if we provide a sort of Basic Integration Checklist. Otherwise, each participant country would spend time and resources simply trying to figure out a lot of things what we may already know. e.g. Again in Costa Rica. I sometime find roadmaps developed in 2018 and sitting somewhere in some website, even being lost in that website upon changes in administration ( elections ). They go ahead and replace a lot of websites every 4 years and projects are left without leadership upon changes in elected leaders.
Providing guidance and a basic integration checklist for countries to use in developing their roadmap is a great idea. This could help ensure consistency and alignment with the overall strategic objectives of the organization. In fact, the OECD has already developed a set of guidelines and best practices for digital identity management, which could serve as a starting point for countries to develop their own roadmap. These guidelines cover areas such as legal and regulatory frameworks, technical standards, and governance structures. Additionally, it may be helpful for the OECD to provide ongoing support and assistance to countries in the implementation of their roadmap. This could include regular check-ins, technical support, and resources for addressing potential roadblocks or challenges.
Overall, providing clear guidance and support for countries in the development and implementation of their roadmap can help ensure consistency and alignment with the overall goals and objectives of the organization, while also saving time and resources for participating countries.