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AI and Identity

Ethical Chart

The foundation’s ethical position on the challenges named in UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, targets 16.4 (illicit flows) and 16.9 (legal identity for all). Six articles guide what OISTE advocates and what it will sign.

Adopted 2020

New information and communication technologies brought complex questions about privacy and the protection of personal data. The digital rights of individuals are often compromised. Online, people should hold credentials that let them identify themselves as they can in the physical world, and the same holds for objects and content. The volume of breaches has eroded trust and opened the way to cyber-enabled illicit trade.

The foundation believes the public key infrastructure on which it holds proprietary rights can help build a more secure and ethical cyberspace, and commits to influence decisions towards the following.

  1. Privacy and the protection of digital identity

    The human right to data privacy and the protection of users’ digital identity are respected.

    1. Data privacy and digital identity are respected by the state, the private sector and every other actor.
    2. National and international legislation makes the right to privacy in cyberspace effective and enforceable.
    3. Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly names cyberspace: no one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference, in the physical world or in cyberspace, with their privacy, family, home or correspondence.

  2. Ownership of identity and data

    Ownership of a person’s digital identity and personal data rests with the individual. Third parties cannot exploit them without express consent.

    1. Digital identity and personal data are included in the right to property.
    2. Individuals are the only owners of their digital identity and dispose of it as they choose.
    3. Objects and content belong to their rightful claimant and are protected by a digital identity.

  3. Strong cryptographic validation

    Identity information of persons, objects and content is validated with strong cryptography.

    1. The use of cryptographic technologies for identity protection is generalised.
    2. A trustworthy digital ecosystem is a condition for the rule of law in cyberspace.
    3. Objects and content, not only individuals, have a digital identity.

  4. AI under human command

    Artificial intelligence serves human values and human command, in line with ethical and precautionary principles.

    1. AI serves the common interest and follows ethical practice.
    2. AI is deployed with precaution, to avoid consequences that cannot be foreseen or reversed.
    3. AI combined with strong identity management protects children from harmful content and criminal misuse.

  5. Multi-stakeholder internet governance

    Internet governance is in the hands of a multi-stakeholder community, bound by internationally agreed by-laws and accountable to international tribunals.

    1. The internet is a global primary necessity governed by a multi-stakeholder community.
    2. An international tribunal holds final authority to sanction on internet governance matters.
    3. Internet governance serves the public interest first.

  6. The fight against illicit trade

    Cyber-enabled illicit trade receives more weight on the international policy agenda.

    1. The foundation subscribes to the OECD’s analysis and recommendations on corruption and illicit trade.
    2. It supports INTERPOL, Europol and UN bodies in their fight against illicit trade.
    3. It supports a multi-sector, international and holistic strategy to eliminate illicit trade.