The Cayman Islands National Party had done something that may be unprecedented. It may have been the first political party to announce in its manifesto under ‘Crime and Public Safety’ that, once elected, they would make National Digital IDs mandatory.
Now, most residents see some benefits in the concept of a national ID, but feedback on the concept has indicated that the electorate of the Cayman Islands does not want the IDs to be mandatory. We seek instead to have freedom of choice, without any government dictating to us whether we will be forced to have such a card.
We have been assured by previous governments that if Cayman were to take on such an ID, it is promised to be optional, in keeping with the stated wishes of Caymanians. Therefore such a proclamation that the card will be forced is of great concern.
What exactly is the problem? There are a few reasons why doing this is questionable.
Assuming this ID is the same as the ones being rolled out around the world, it is not just a digital version of your drivers license, or a means to prove who you are online. It is closer to a tracking number and a foundation for digital currencies. An 80 page report by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice describes it as:
“[..] a new paradigm for ID systems that prioritizes what we refer to as ‘economic identity’. These systems focus on fueling digital transactions and transforming individuals into traceable data.”
or
“Such digital ID systems aim to provide individuals with a ‘transactional’ or ‘economic’ identity, by establishing their uniqueness. The promise is that with such an economic identity, an individual can transact with both government and private sector actors.”
The Cayman Compass quotes a Blair Lilford:
‘“At some stage, you will be able to arrive in Cayman, rent a car and check into a hotel using the same digital ID,” he said.’
The World Bank has played a central role in manufacturing consensus and providing over US $1.5 billion in Bank financing across 35 countries (page 7). Tony Blair, famous for getting the UK into the Iraq war, is an avid supporter.
Was the Cayman Islands Government receiving outside funding to implement this technology?
Reading the local news may have you believe the ID system is benign, disliked only by ludits. It is hard to find a mention of the report, the World Bank’s role, or any serious controversies associated with the ID system. Like when Nigerians were rioting, attacking ATMs, due to cash shortages some time after the role out of their CBDC, the e-naira. The first mentions of the digital ID in Cayman appears to come from 2018 with mentions in Cayman Funds Magazine and the start of the CyDEC conferences where participants pay $300 KYD to attend. Where was the real engagement with public at large? Many were not aware until only a few months before the legislation was tabled.
On closing, some recent events include the Spanish Prime Minister wanting to tie people’s social media to their digital ID, a long beach security breach, and whistleblower allegations of massive security failures in UK’s GOV.UK One Login Digital ID System.
And finally, the report notes (page 8):
“Indeed, those who stand to benefit the most may not be those “left behind,” but a small group of companies and security-minded governments.”