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Reposted by Keren Weitzberg

Dan McQuillan @danmcquillan.bsky.social · 5d

Wtaf? "Software giant Palantir snubs ‘undemocratic’ digital ID scheme". This would actually be funny if we weren't living in an emergent technofascism powered by the likes of Palantir...
archive.ph/MncRd

screenshot of Times headlines reading "Software giant Palantir snubs ‘undemocratic’ digital ID scheme. The US-based company, which had been touted as a potential bidder, said that it would not seek any contracts around it"

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · 12d

such a project now (given the profound challenges this country faces), whose interests it serves, and to what extent it reflects the influence of non-elected bodies (e.g. the Tony Blair Institute).

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · 12d

Assuming it is voluntary, privacy preserving, follows robust data protection principles (non-traceability etc), I wouldn't automatically object to the GOV.UK wallet (though the devil is in the details). It certainly follows EU trends. But it’s perfectly legitimate to ask why the govt is pursuing...

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · 12d

On my end, my main objection is to the 'Britcard'--a compulsory digital ID/credential that will expand 'hostile environment' policies, which looks very much like a reactive response to the moral panic around asylum seekers. Plus no real discussion about how gov't will avoid another Windrush Scandal.

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · 12d

Public criticism of compulsory ID has a long history in the UK, which predates the advent of Twitter/X (in fact, it even predates the Blair-era controversy over biometric ID cards in the early 2000s). Also, criticism of the new scheme is coming from BOTH the right & left of the political spectrum.

Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 13d

Today’s digital ID announcement yet another example of how X being the main platform for political discourse will inevitably throw the MSM’s coverage off course, because online right opinion is fevered/way off the beat with the public.

Guess who need digital/reliable ID most? Those in poverty.

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Reposted by Keren Weitzberg

LSE British Politics and Policy blog @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social · 12d

As Keir Starmer anounces a new Digital ID scheme, we revisit an article from the summer, warning that past attempts at introducing a national identity card point to a moral minefield without necessarily helping tackle irregular immigration.

blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...

The Britcard – progressive or concerning? | British Politics and Policy at LSE

The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · 12d

As I said on BBC this morning, the Britcard isn't a carefully thought-out digitization strategy; it's a reactive policy response to right-wing populism & moral panic about asylum seekers. A piece from earlier this year w/ @margchee.bsky.social & @empo11on.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...

The Britcard – progressive or concerning? | British Politics and Policy at LSE

The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Reposted by Keren Weitzberg

Sophie Harman @profsophieharman.bsky.social · 13d

You may already have seen her on the BBC this morning, but journalists and policy experts looking for experts on digital ID cards - you need to speak to @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social

This is a post from earlier this year
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...

The Britcard – progressive or concerning? | British Politics and Policy at LSE

The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Reposted by Keren Weitzberg

Aaron Martin @empo11on.bsky.social · 17d

It appears the UK Labor government is moving forward with plans to introduce digital IDs to address complex migration challenges www.ft.com/content/f2b3...

In July, @margchee.bsky.social, @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social and I wrote about the challenges that lie ahead

blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...

Keir Starmer set to unveil digital ID scheme

UK prime minister hoping to avoid his Labour predecessor’s failure to push through plan in the 2000s

www.ft.com

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Reposted by Keren Weitzberg

Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · Aug 3

This is a billionaire-funded Tony Blair lobbying project being funnelled unchallenged onto the front page of a national newspaper.
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Reposted by Keren Weitzberg

Alex Hanna-ween @alexhanna.bsky.social · Jul 31

Can't believe that Silicon Valley just brought back layaway and rebranded it as "fintech".

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Reposted by Keren Weitzberg

Aaron Martin @empo11on.bsky.social · Jul 29

New paper out in @bigdatasoc.bsky.social on #humanitarian #data #sovereignty💥

doi.org/10.1177/2053...

My deep gratitude to @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social, @margchee.bsky.social, @emryss.bsky.social, Quito Tsui, Paul Currion, @sophiebt.bsky.social, and @massimomarelli.bsky.social for the inspiration ❤️

Why sovereignty matters for humanitarian data - Aaron Martin, 2025

Technological interventions in aid are both complex and deeply ambiguous. Nonetheless, many contemporary controversies surrounding humanitarian data reflect und...

doi.org

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Reposted by Keren Weitzberg

Dr Margie Cheesman @margchee.bsky.social · Jul 16

New blog based on our research with humanitarians navigating the current funding crisis.

What should the future of humanitarian data management look like?

caribou.global/publications... @emryss.bsky.social

The Reset Imperative: Digital Identity in Humanitarian Response | Caribou

In crisis situations, establishing a person’s identity remains a fundamental challenge. Here's how digital ID systems need to improve in humanitarian response.

caribou.global

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · Jul 16

Our latest on Labour's ill-advised "Britcard" blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp... with @empo11on.bsky.social and @margchee.bsky.social

The Britcard – progressive or concerning? - British Politics and Policy at LSE

The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · Jul 12

Excited to share my latest article. It examines how humanitarian data came to be repurposed for citizenship determination, focusing on an often-overlooked form of biometric border-making: the digitized mechanisms for keeping citizens out of refugee camps. tinyurl.com/bde5a6dw

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Reposted by Keren Weitzberg

Aaron Martin @empo11on.bsky.social · May 22

With @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social, I've been exploring the intersection of AI governance & #digitalidentity. In an essay in the new #openaccess 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗜 collection, we reflect on how companies like @world.org are resignifying #biometrics in the AI age

libraopen.lib.virginia.edu/public_view/...

Libra Open | Reimagining AI for Environmental Justice and Creativity

Libra Open Content: Reimagining AI for Environmental Justice and Creativity | Authors: Jess Reia, Yingchong Wang, MC Forelle Artificial intelligence (AI) is

libraopen.lib.virginia.edu

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · May 16

Very excited to be part of this volume, “Reimagining AI for Environmental Justice and Creativity,” with Aaron Martin @empo11on.bsky.social. Where we discuss tech companies like 'World' and the quest of biometrically authenticated 'personhood' in the AI age. doi.org/10.18130/03d...

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · Apr 30

How do grassroots movements resist state collapse in Sudan?

Raga Makawi, Co-Director of Studies for the 2025 Sudan & South Sudan Course, shares reflections on civic politics and community resilience.

Watch full video: youtu.be/YK4IhRGtC8U
More info: courses.riftvalley.net

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · May 8

This report builds on the great work of the Future of Wakimbizi project and the Refugee-Led Research Hub. @qmpoliticsir.bsky.social

Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · May 8

As resettlement opportunities diminish & humanitarian aid budgets are slashed, integration into host countries is increasingly being seen as the only durable solution for refugees. Nut how will integration be meaningfully achieved if digital identity systems exclude non-citizens?

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · May 8

How can integration be realized if refugees are denied work permits and Conventional Travel Documents? Are integration schemes just containment by another name? And how do these questions intersect with broader debates about digital public infrastructure?

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · May 8

In the wake of Filippo Grandi’s visit to Kenya and the launch of a new integration scheme for refugees and host communities, it is imperative to ask: How will socio-economic integration be achieved if refugees are not being provided with basic, foundational IDs?

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · May 8

Proud to announce the launch of our report on the challenges that refugees and migrants in Kenya face accessing state-issued identification, generously funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, and co-produced w/ Haki na Sheria w/ support from Caribou Digital www.cariboudigital.net/publication/...

Integration without Identification? ID System Challenges for Refugees and Migrants in Kenya - Caribou Digital

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of migration and refugee management in Kenya, locating current efforts to digitize migrant identification in historical context. Identity innovation needs...

www.cariboudigital.net

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Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · Mar 24

@qmpoliticsir.bsky.social

Keren Weitzberg @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social · Mar 24

For those of you not able to attend in person but who would like to listen to the recording, here is a link: soundcloud.com/qmulofficial... It was a beautiful tribute to Elleni Centime Zeleke w/ comments from Layli Uddin, Safia Aidid, Richard Drayton, Chris Moffat, & Alden Young. Please listen/share

RCE Dialogue Event in Honor of Elleni Centime Zeleke

On 27 February 2005, the Centre for the Study of Race, Class and Empire (RCE) in the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR), co-directed by Dr. Keren Weitzberg and Dr. Layli Uddin, orga

soundcloud.com

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