Razzano, G. (2021). Digital Identity in South Africa: Case study conducted as part of a ten-country exploration of socio-digital ID systems in parts of Africa<\/i> (Towards the Evaluation of Digital ID Ecosystems in Africa: Findings from Ten Countries) [Case study]. Research ICT Africa (RIA).<\/p>\n
Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\n The South African project to digitise its foundational identity expands on <\/span>a broad system of paper identity documents underpinned by an identity <\/span>database that has for many decades included records of biometric <\/span>identity, primarily through fingerprints. It is being driven through a phased <\/span>introduction of Smart ID Cards. <\/span><\/p>\n The empowering statute, the Identification Act, is from 1997, and long <\/span>preceded the introduction of broad-based personal data and privacy <\/span>protection found in the 2013 Protection of Personal Information Act. This <\/span>provides a patchy basis for protections, especially in the absence of any <\/span>guiding policy framework, which makes the mitigation of risks challenging. <\/span><\/p>\n The recent draft Official Identity Management Policy (2020) indicates a <\/span>desire to modernise government identity management and align with <\/span>national development objectives. There are strong indications though that <\/span>such policies may be insufficient to manage the realities of personal data <\/span>risks that accompany digitisation efforts, without the full and purposeful <\/span>implementation of the Protection of Personal Information Act across <\/span>stakeholder groups. This is concerning, given the imperatives for universal <\/span>digital identification, in light of the lived experience of poor service delivery <\/span>in the realm of identity management for South African citizens and non-<\/span>citizens alike. <\/span><\/p>\n