Suchergebnisse

Identity Management (IdM) systems are being stridently developed by governments across the globe. National and international governmental institutions see them as a panacea for the many ills plaguing society – by increasing the inclusion of historically marginalized communities, bettering the planned development of society, improving security, and effectively distributing social welfare benefits, services and subsidies. Diametrically opposed to this viewpoint are human rights activists and researchers who see such systems as authoritarian encroachments on fundamental human rights and freedoms by governments whose true purpose is actually the establishment of inescapable surveillance systems. This thesis provides a multidisciplinary, theoretical, model for understanding IdM systems named the Appropriate Access Model (AAM). Accounting for the history, laws, technology and culture surrounding IdM systems, the views summarised above become complementary instead of contradictory. Following a systems-theoretic approach, the AAM provides concrete recommendations for implementing bespoke national IdM systems as well as analysing existing systems at various stages of its lifecycle. The AAM is based on the anticipated purpose of the system, the way a particular society is organised, and the level of assurance required from such systems. The model also acknowledges the impact of attitudes towards IdM systems grounded in cultural values, individual beliefs and trust in government. These recommendations are aimed at: (1) policymakers who are in the process of designing an IdM system for their society; and (2) scholars and officials who are in either an ex-ante or ex-post process of evaluating an IdM system for its fitness, performance, and impact on society.

On 10 September 2020, the European Commission presented a proposal (COM(2020) 568 final) on the temporary derogation from Articles 5(1) and 6 of the e-Privacy Directive, which protect the confidentiality of communications and traffic data. This proposal is targeted at ensuring the continuation of voluntary practices conducted by providers of 'number-independent interpersonal communications services' for the detection, reporting and removal of child sexual abuse material online after the European Electronic Communications Code has entered into force at the end of December 2020. The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) raised concerns over the proposal's potential impact on the human and fundamental rights of the users of those services, and requested that the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) carry out a targeted impact assessment to this end, in the absence of a European Commission impact assessment accompanying this proposal. The assessment finds that while the EU has the competence to adopt the proposed regulation per Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union, the impact of such practices on human and fundamental rights has not been adequately addressed. It should provide a clear legal basis for these practices, along with effective remedies for users. Some technologies covered by the proposed regulation have a disproportionate impact, and thus require additional safeguards unavailable in the proposal in its current form.