Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is pushing for newborn babies to be issued with “digital IDs” from birth.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been experimenting with the plan in Kenya, Africa.
The third-world nation is being used as a testbed as Gates and his organization continue their global push to support government-backed digital ID programs.
Gates is leading the Kenyan government’s “Maisha Namba” digital ID initiative, which is currently under development.
According to the Kenyan Daily Post, Gates’ role in assisting the Kenyan government in its development and rollout of Maisha Namba was announced after a recent series of “closed-door meetings” with Kenyan President William Ruto.
Kenyans.co.ke reported: “The billionaire, who is known to champion GMO (genetically modified organism) foods, has met Ruto in a series of meetings since he came to power with most of the engagements shrouded in secrecy….
“The deal will connect the government to key technical experts and partners who will offer professional advice to guarantee a smooth rollout”
Rights groups and citizens have been expressing concern over the possibility of discrimination and the erosion of privacy.
The Defender reports: Alexis Hancock, director of engineering for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told The Defender that such secrecy between