Information Polity

Taylor, John A.;

2010 Information Polity

doi: 10.3233/IP-2010-0218

Jæger, Birgit ; Löfgren, Karl

2010 Information Polity

doi: 10.3233/IP-2010-0217

This article presents an historical account of the governing principles of e-government in Denmark from 1994 to the present day. Our theoretical point of departure has been five policy analytical themes, and the study is based on empirical data retrieved from elite interviews and official documents. Based on notions such as centralising-decentralising and bureaucracy-networks we are able to find patterns of continuity and change in Danish e-government strategies. From playing an almost hidden role within the realms of a visionary national Information Society strategy in the early 1990s, it has in the 2000s become a policy field of its own. While the beginning demonstrated visionary policy based on certain 'Danish values' within a bottom-up and experimental policy framework, the field has become subject to traditional hierarchical control, resulting in a more coercive integration of government information systems.

Lips, Miriam

2010 Information Polity

doi: 10.3233/IP-2010-0216

The introduction and use of new ICT-enabled means of managing citizen identity information in public service environments may lead to fundamental changes of the informational foundations of citizen – government relationships. This raises important theoretical and empirical questions about the impact and implications of emerging information age government on the 'social contract' between the citizen and the State. To many scholars, it is clear that the introduction of ICT-enabled forms of managing citizen identity information at least requires fundamental rethinking around substantial 'contractual' issues, such as privacy and equity. Thus far however, there is little empirical evidence available of the changes happening to citizen – government relationships. In this contribution, scholarly thinking around the impact and implications of the use of new digital forms of citizen identity management in public service environments is further explored. In particular, the development is explored of two seemingly opposite scholarly perspectives thus far: a Surveillance State perspective and a Service State perspective. This scholarly thinking is then confronted with empirical research findings. In so-doing, three substantive empirical research projects, one from the UK and two from New Zealand, are drawn upon. Two of these studies explored the management of citizen identity information from the perspective of government agencies in their public service relationships with citizens, whilst the third study explored the attitudes of citizens towards the management of personal information with and across government in the course of electronic public service provision. Finally, a meta-analysis of the empirical research findings and conclusions on changes in citizen – government relationships in the age of digital citizen identity is presented.

Crompton, Malcolm

2010 Information Polity

doi: 10.3233/IP-2010-0193

There are many drivers for strengthening identity management (IdM) in the digital environment. They include: countering identity fraud, identity theft or identity takeover, border control and traveler identification; individual convenience; or better customer service for individuals. A range of approaches are being considered in the public and private sector. Experience is showing that IdM succeeds best where it builds in two way trust and is not perceived by users as yet another policing action. The challenge is even greater if individuals believe that IdM will put all the powers and discretions in the hands of the institution to collect more personal information which is then linked, used, or disclosed. For IdM, the key to success is increasingly to understand and design with individual interests, as well as government or organisation interests, in mind. This paper looks at the concept of user-centric IdM and suggests some defining features. It will draw on experience and developments in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia to highlight issues that may help or hinder the delivery of effective user centric IdM. These include choices about centralised versus distributed identity, the impact of each country's culture and history, the approach taken to risk allocation and the importance of keeping agendas simple and transparent. Recognition of the importance of these issues is gathering pace. It has moved from the realm of the advocate, through academia and into mainstream, commercial development, even to the point of creating a unique effort at building interoperable ID management systems that respect user centric principles. User centric IdM is possible with the right mix of individual control, fair risk allocation and accountability.

Shroff, Marie ; Fordham, Annabel

2010 Information Polity

doi: 10.3233/IP-2010-0162

Identity underpins and shapes privacy. This paper explores some of the points of intersection and issues that emerge in the identity-privacy nexus. Personal identity is at the heart of what it means to be human, and that identity is contextual and shifts subtlely over time. At an applied level, identity-related issues pose practical challenges for government and business in seeking to define and place controls over personal identity. Technology also raises both problems and solutions for personal identity. To what extent can individuals maintain control over their "digital shadow" – or is it just a case of what goes around, sticks around. A growing surveillance society and demands for increased security throw down some of the greatest challenges for privacy and identity management

van der Hof, Simone ; Keymolen, Esther

2010 Information Polity

doi: 10.3233/IP-2010-0186

At the end of 2009, the Electronic Child Record (ECR) must replace all paper records in Dutch youth healthcare, i.e. digital dossiers containing health and psycho-social data on children aged 0–19. At the same time, society demands a more effective youth-care system, due to several family tragedies that gave rise to high media attention as well as growing problems with high-risk youth. These developments form the impetus for fundamental changes in youth care in respect of the relationship between children and youth-care professionals, connectivity of information systems, transparency (or rather opacity) of organisations and information systems, and the construction and use of children's identities. The ECR seems to have acquired a dynamic of its own and is steadily moving forward to becoming embedded in an ever more sophisticated system of controlling the socio-psychological and physical development of youngsters-at-risk. Hence, the goals of the ECR may be gradually shifting from achieving more efficiency vis-à-vis social sorting and risk-management systems. This development has side effects that should be addressed by policy makers to truly promote the interests of children and citizens more generally.

2010 Information Polity

doi: 10.3233/IP-2010-0212

2010 Information Polity

doi: 10.3233/IP-2010-0219