The Gates Foundation Pushes For Digital ID Systems, Despite Criticism
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, an organization established by the tech titan and his former spouse, is pushing further into the realm of digital identification, this time choosing to further Kenya’s controversial digital ID initiative, “Maisha Namb.”
As explained by the foundation’s CEO, Mark Suzman, the foundation is expected to liaise with integral tech moguls and specialists to ensure the success of the project which mirrors the foundation’s broader commitment towards digital identity enhancement, even as it unveils support for similar initiatives worldwide.
Designed as a unique identifier, the Maisha Namba will be allocated to every Kenyan citizen, effectively becoming their official digital ID, associated with a specially designed Maisha Card.
As part of this agenda, months of preparation and a budget of approximately $6.8 million had been set aside for the launch of this biometric-supported digital ID mechanism.
