HarmonyVote

Initiative Title: Universal Digital Identity with Privacy and Autonomy Act

Description:

1. Self-Sovereign Digital Identity Model:
   Promote digital identity systems that allow individuals to own and control their identity data. Identities will be decentralized, cryptographically secured, and portable across platforms and borders.

2. Privacy-First Architecture and Data Minimization:
   Require all digital identity providers to use zero-knowledge proofs, selective disclosure, and encryption techniques to ensure only the minimum necessary data is shared during authentication.

3. Voluntary Participation and Consent Controls:
   Ensure that digital identity enrollment is voluntary, and every use of the identity system must involve explicit, informed consent. Individuals must be able to revoke access to their data at any time.

4. Interoperability and Open Standards:
   Support international collaboration to develop interoperable digital identity systems based on open-source protocols and public standards, ensuring global compatibility without vendor lock-in.

5. Anti-Surveillance and Data Abuse Safeguards:
   Prohibit the use of digital identity systems for mass surveillance, political targeting, or commercial profiling. Establish strict legal penalties for misuse by both public and private actors.

6. Offline and Alternative Access:
   Provide non-digital and offline alternatives for identity verification to ensure inclusivity for the digitally excluded. Biometric use must be optional and privacy-preserving.

7. Regulatory Oversight and Transparency:
   Create an independent global oversight body with civil society representation to audit systems, certify compliance with privacy standards, and investigate abuse claims.

8. Digital Identity for the Undocumented:
   Establish protected pathways for refugees, stateless persons, and undocumented individuals to obtain secure digital identities without fear of surveillance, detention, or discrimination.

Possible Outcomes and Implications:

• Increased Digital Inclusion: Enables secure access to services such as banking, voting, education, and healthcare—especially for unbanked or undocumented individuals.
• Protection of Civil Liberties: Limits the risk of surveillance and profiling through strong encryption and decentralized architectures.
• Boosted Economic Participation: Streamlines onboarding for remote work, digital finance, and secure transactions across jurisdictions.
• Global Trust Infrastructure: Lays the foundation for a trusted, human-centered internet that respects privacy by design.
• Empowerment Through Autonomy: Shifts control of identity from institutions to individuals, ensuring dignity and choice in digital spaces.

Votes: