What could be the long-term effects of widespread use of Aadhaar-like digital IDs on individual privacy and state power?

The widespread use of digital identity systems such as Aadhaar is transforming how states interact with their citizens. While these systems can improve service delivery and inclusion, they also raise important questions about privacy, surveillance, and the balance of power between individuals and the state.

• Increased State Surveillance: Digital IDs can enable the state to track citizens' activities across various domains (banking, healthcare, welfare, travel), leading to concerns about mass surveillance and potential misuse of data.
• Data Security and Privacy Risks: Centralized databases holding sensitive personal information can become targets for cyber attacks or unauthorized access, risking data breaches and identity theft.
• Erosion of Anonymity: Linking digital IDs to multiple services reduces the ability of individuals to remain anonymous, affecting privacy in both public and private life.
• Profiling and Discrimination: Aggregated data can be used to profile citizens, potentially leading to discrimination in areas such as insurance, employment, or access to government benefits.
• Changing Power Dynamics: The state gains significant power over citizens by controlling access to essential services through digital IDs, which could be misused for political or social control.
• Exclusion Risks: Technical errors, authentication failures, or lack of digital literacy can lead to exclusion of vulnerable groups from welfare schemes and essential services.
• Legal and Regulatory Challenges: Existing privacy laws may not be adequate to address the new challenges posed by digital identity systems, requiring continuous legal updates and strong regulatory oversight.