Mastercard joins ID2020 Alliance to advance digital identity as a fundamental human right

Mastercard has joined the ID2020 Alliance to further the organizations’ collaborative efforts on user-managed, privacy-protected and portable digital identity solutions.

The ID2020 Alliance was launched in 2016 as a global public-private partnership bringing together stakeholders to advocate for, fund, and implement projects, provide technical support, and certify identity solutions as best-in-class. The ultimate goal is to enable all people globally to exercise their basic human rights and become economically empowered.

“Digital identity can be a powerful force multiplier to enhance social and economic opportunities for all people,” says ID2020 Executive Director Dakota Gruener. “But to fully realize that potential, governments, technology companies, financial institutions, and civil society must collaborate. We are delighted to welcome Mastercard to the ID2020 Alliance and applaud their commitment to privacy-protecting, user-centric digital identity.”

Gruener recently composed an argument that immunity certificates will need to alleviate privacy concerns by leveraging biometrics for the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University.

The organization notes the increased importance of digital identity for people adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to make sure any repurposing of digital identity technology for digital health certificates or other recovery measures to protect individual privacy.

“We share the belief with ID2020 that digital identity is a fundamental human right that each individual has control over; that digital identity is a crucial step towards financial inclusion and to building a world where technology empowers, enables and protects everyone,” states Ajay Bhalla, president of Cyber & Intelligence at Mastercard.  “We must work together to establish consistency and common standards across the globe that can make this a reality, addressing real challenges faced by people every day and sparking continued innovation.”

Bhalla contributed a guest post to Biometric Update earlier this week on how new wave biometrics are helping move identity verification beyond passwords.

Mastercard has been increasingly focused on expanding its focus on fintech and biometrics and has also been working with partners on supporting payments with gait or facial biometrics.