Access to social welfare programs is crucial for millions of people around the world. However, one of the biggest challenges in delivering these services is ensuring that they reach the right people efficiently and securely.
Thus, a versatile "verifiable identity" has emerged as an essential instrument for developing nations to not only uniquely recognise their citizens but also to facilitate the social and financial integration of the impoverished and vulnerable. By using verifiable identity systems, governments and organisations can enhance access to social welfare programs, making them more effective and inclusive.
Verifiable identity is a digital representation of an individual’s personal information, such as name, date of birth, address, and other identifying details. It is a secure way to prove who you are online, using technology to verify your identity without needing physical documents like a passport or driver’s license. This digital identity can be used to access various services, including social welfare programs.
Verifiable identities for individuals are established through digital identity verification, a process that checks and confirms your personal information using multiple methods. These methods can include biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition, as well as digital records of your birth or citizenship. Once verified, your verifiable identity can be stored securely and used whenever you need to prove your identity online.
Digital ID systems form one of the three foundational elements of digital public infrastructure (DPI), alongside digital payment systems and data exchange systems.
By facilitating connections among individuals and simplifying the processes of transferring funds and exchanging data, DPI serves as the contemporary counterpart to the infrastructure of roads and bridges that significantly transformed economies in the 19th century.
Studies indicate that DPI can enable low- and middle-income nations to bypass conventional developmental phases, elevate numerous individuals above the poverty line, and stimulate economic expansion.
The significance of a verifiable digital ID system stems from its role in enabling individuals to fully access the benefits of a country's Digital Public Infrastructure. With a recognized national identity, people can take advantage of services like digital banking, instant transactions, mobile connectivity, and secure management of personal information.
The Role of Verifiable identity in Social Welfare Programs
Following are some of the crucial roles that verifiable identity plays in a social welfare program:
1. Improving Access to Services
One of the main benefits of verifiable identity is that it makes accessing social welfare programs easier. In many countries, people face difficulties in proving their eligibility for these programs due to a lack of proper identification documents. This is especially true in rural or underserved areas, where obtaining and maintaining physical documents can be challenging.
With a verifiable digital identity, individuals can prove their eligibility for social welfare programs quickly and easily. This means they can receive the benefits they are entitled to without the hassle of providing physical documents or travelling long distances to government offices.
2. Ensuring Accurate Delivery of Benefits
Verifiable identity systems also help to ensure that social welfare benefits are delivered to the right people. Traditional systems can be prone to errors, such as duplicate records or fraud, where someone might claim benefits they are not entitled to. By using a secure verifiable identity system, these issues can be minimised.
For example, in India, the Aadhaar system provides each citizen with a unique verifiable digital identity linked to their biometric data. This system has helped to reduce fraud and ensure that benefits like subsidies and pensions are delivered accurately to those who need them most.
🌟 #Aadhaar is empowering the common citizens by giving them verifiable digital identity. It inspires more confidence & trust than any other identity document in India.#8YearsOfDigitalIndia #DigitalIndia @UIDAI @AshwiniVaishnaw @Rajeev_GoI @alkesh12sharma @GoI_MeitY pic.twitter.com/yhiqxxzPee
— Ministry of Electronics & IT (@GoI_MeitY) July 1, 2023
3. Enhancing Security and Privacy
Verifiable identity systems are designed to be secure, protecting individuals’ personal information from unauthorised access or misuse. This is crucial when it comes to social welfare programs, as they often involve sensitive data, such as health records or financial information.
By using encryption and other security measures, verifiable identity systems can safeguard this information, ensuring that it is only accessed by authorised individuals. This not only protects the privacy of those receiving social welfare benefits but also builds trust in the system, encouraging more people to participate.
Protean has been appointed as a Registrar by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to facilitate Aadhaar enrollment for residents. Additionally, Protean provides online Aadhaar authentication services, enabling the verification of Aadhaar holders' identities against UIDAI's records. To date, Protean has processed over 2 billion Aadhaar authentication transactions.
Countries around the world are already using verifiable identity systems to enhance access to social welfare programs, with significant positive outcomes.
India’s Aadhaar System
India’s Aadhaar system is one of the largest and most well-known verifiable identity programs in the world. Launched in 2009, it provides each Indian citizen with a unique 12-digit identification number linked to their biometric data, such as fingerprints and iris scans.
The Aadhaar system has been instrumental in improving access to social welfare programs in India. It has helped to reduce fraud and duplication in the distribution of benefits, ensuring that subsidies, pensions, and other forms of assistance reach the intended recipients.
For example, by linking bank accounts to Aadhaar numbers, the government has been able to directly transfer funds to beneficiaries, eliminating the need for intermediaries and reducing the chances of corruption.
Philippines’ PhilSys
The Philippines has also implemented a national verifiable identity system known as PhilSys. This system aims to provide all citizens with a unique identification number, which can be used to access a wide range of government services, including social welfare programs.
PhilSys is designed to be inclusive, making it easier for vulnerable populations, such as those living in remote areas, to access the benefits they are entitled to.
By using biometric data and digital records, PhilSys ensures that the right people receive the right benefits, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of social welfare programs in the Philippines.
Nigeria’s National Identity Number (NIN)
In Nigeria, the National Identity Number (NIN) system is helping to enhance access to social welfare programs. The NIN is a unique identification number assigned to Nigerian citizens and legal residents, linked to their biometric and demographic data.
The NIN system has been used to streamline the distribution of social welfare benefits, such as financial aid and healthcare services. By ensuring that only eligible individuals receive these benefits, the NIN system has helped to reduce fraud and improve the overall efficiency of social welfare programs in Nigeria.
Conclusion
Verifiable identity has the potential to significantly enhance access to social welfare programs, making them more efficient, secure, and inclusive. By providing a reliable and easy way for individuals to prove their identity, verifiable identity systems can help to ensure that social welfare benefits reach the right people and protect privacy.
- Story by Kakoli Laha
