U.S. moves to digitize public benefits, creating a national digital ID system.

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The U.S. Department of Commerce is advancing a plan to digitize the identities of Americans receiving public benefits, including government healthcare, Veterans’ benefits, Social Security, and low-income welfare programs. This initiative aims to create a national digital ID system, starting with those who rely on various public assistance programs. The program involves collaboration between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Georgetown University’s Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, and the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) . While the initial implementation is voluntary, it raises important questions about privacy, security, and individual autonomy. Congress’s role in overseeing such a significant development remains a topic of concern.

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