{"id":16722,"date":"2022-02-08T08:04:16","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T08:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.re-check.ch\/wordpress\/?p=16722"},"modified":"2024-10-29T10:43:56","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T10:43:56","slug":"function-creep-covid-19-certificates-summary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.re-check.ch\/en\/function-creep-covid-19-certificates-summary\/","title":{"rendered":"Function creep in pandemic mode: the strange case of the Covid-19 certificates – Summary"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Summary of Re-Check | Follow The Money in-depth investigation
\nCatherine Riva, Serena Tinari \u2013 Re-Check.ch | Jannes van Roermund
\n<\/span>November – December, 2021<\/span>
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En fran\u00e7ais (en ligne<\/a>) \/ Auf Deutsch (online<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Re-Check published, in collaboration with Dutch investigative journalist Jannes van Roermund<\/a>, a three-parts series on the potential for #FunctionCreep<\/a> of the Covid-19 passports <\/span><\/span>(also called \u201cgreen pass\u201d, \u201chealth pass\u201d, \u201cCovid pass\u201d, \u201cCovid certificates\u201d).<\/p>\n

From September 2021, the scope of validity of the Covid-19 certificate has been successively extended in most countries. Today, the Covid-19 QR code is no longer just a \u201cmodern, simple and secure\u201d solution that, as we were told a few months ago, was supposed to \u201copen up the world and give people the opportunity to travel again\u201d: it has become an indispensable prerequisite for participating in society.<\/p>\n

Given the speed at which Covid-19 certificates have been deployed, the data protection problem they pose, and the place they now occupy in our society, it is legitimate to ask: when will the authorities stop enforcing this tool? The history of technology teaches us that the answer may well be: perhaps never. Because when a \u201ctemporary\u201d solution of this kind is put in place, there is a great risk that it becomes permanent and ends up being used for a different purpose than the one initially intended. This is known as \u201cfunction creep\u201d. As Bert-Jaap Koops of Tilburg University in the Netherlands explains: \u201cWhat distinguishes function creep from innovation is that it involves a qualitative change in functionality that raises concerns. Not only because of the change itself, but also because this change is not sufficiently recognized as transformative and would therefore require discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the case of the Covid-19 certificate, everything indicates that the risk of function creep is particularly serious. Because one of the function creep\u2019s possibilities for this device coincides precisely with the agenda of powerful interest groups. Since 2020, these private and state actors have been presenting the implementation of the Covid-19 certificate as a way to create a wallet for digital identity (e-ID). Our research has shown that a maze of governmental and non-governmental entities is in fact piggybacking the crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cDigital identity systems are booming,\u201d said Tommy Cooke of the Surveillance Studies Centre at Queen\u2019s University in Canada and Benjamin J. Muller, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at King\u2019s University College, University of Western Ontario. Before stressing that these risks go beyond issues of cybersecurity, responsible governance and organizational accountability: \u201cWe encourage everyone to ask themselves this big but important question: what does it mean to digitize identity, and what is the model identity? In other words, what is the model citizen of a digital ID system, and how will their citizen profile be used to develop the data categories and databases needed for verification?\u201d<\/p>\n

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First episode: <\/span>Function creep and transparency \u201c\u00e0 la carte\u201d <\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

To read the full episode, click here<\/a>
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In this first episode, you\u2019ll learn about the meaning of \u201cfunction creep\u201d. Additionally, it contains an exclusive about Switzerland. Re-Check was delivered a leak, the recording of a zoom meeting between government officials and players participating to the deployment of the Swiss COVID certificate. Our research and the exchanges we have had, and are hereby publishing, with the Swiss Ministry of Health show that sensitive data are stored. And this hasn\u2019t been transparently communicated to the public.<\/p>\n

The implementation of Covid-19 certificates is welcomed by an array of commercial and governmental instances that are since years working on the introduction of e-ID systems. Digital identity or e-ID is a digital solution that allows citizens to prove their identity. It links a unique identifier to a set of attributes stored in digital form (name, date of birth, gender), which are themselves linked to credentials. Also, medical thus confidential data of Swiss citizens being issued a Covid-19 certificate are stored with the facility that performed the test or the vaccine, coupled with the UVCI, a unique certificate identifier of every Covid-19 certificate.<\/p>\n

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Second episode: <\/span>What the Covid crisis has to do with e-ID <\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

To read the full episode, click here<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

To view the detailed map (\u201cCovid-19 certificates and e-Id: Investigating and Mapping Ghost-Management at Work\u201d), click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

In this second episode, you\u2019ll learn about some of the players that are working to make e-ID systems implemented worldwide. To view the detailed map (\u201cCovid-19 certificates and e-Id: Investigating and Mapping Ghost-Management at Work\u201d), click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The COVID crisis is accelerating the development and the implementation of e-ID systems, that have been since several years pursued and developed by an array of commercial and governmental entities. In this episode, a graphic visualization puts together many different players that have something to do with this historical though potentially concerning development (click here<\/a>). The public deserves to be informed about these developments.<\/p>\n

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Third episode: <\/span>The e-ID and Central Bank Cryptocurrencies <\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

To read the full episode, click here<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In this third episode, you\u2019ll learn about the advent of cryptocurrencies issued by central banks, also known as \u201ccentral bank digital currency2 (CBDC), and get to know what this has to do with e-ID and Covid-19 certificates.<\/p>\n

As often is the case, an international crisis is accelerating historical and ground-breaking developments. The advent of digital currency is currently being pushed by different public and commercial players. Linked to e-ID and proof of vaccination, such developments might end up changing our society for good. A large public debate is sorely missing.<\/p>\n

Analysis<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWetenschappers waarschuwen voor een nieuwe digitale identiteit\u201d (Scientists caution against a new digital identity)<\/span><\/h3>\n
Jannes van Roermund – Follow The Money | Catherine Riva, Serena Tinari \u2013 Re-Check.ch
\n<\/span>December, 2021<\/span>
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Dutch investigative journalist Jannes van Roermund<\/a><\/span><\/span> published along with Re-Check the long read \u201cWetenschappers waarschuwen voor een nieuwe digitale identiteit\u201d (Scientists warn of a new digital identity) on Follow The Money (FTM)<\/a> (*). The article has been translated into English as well (here<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The advent of a digital ID card has come a lot closer due to the corona crisis. It may be convenient, but the technology behind it also collects personal information that can never be deleted.<\/p>\n

(*) FTM is a Dutch investigative, multiple price winning outlet dedicated to \u201cfollow the money\u201d and defend democracy. (More<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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On \u201cFollow The Money\u201d: <\/span>Wetenschappers waarschuwen voor een nieuwe digitale identiteit<\/span><\/a> \/ Scientists caution against new digital identity<\/a><\/h3>\n

To read the full article, click here<\/a> (Dutch) or here<\/a> (English)<\/em><\/p>\n

Big tech companies and governments are promoting the advent of a new, digital identity for everyone. The corona crisis is giving them the wind in their sails. It may be convenient, but the technology behind it also collects personal information that can never be deleted. Experts warn of the consequences: \u201cThis is the end of freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n