The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) announced the launch of the IEEE Standards Association Industry Connections program: Digital Inclusion through Trust and Agency (DITA).
According to IEEE, DITA will work to develop digital identity standards. Professionals across different industries will gather in an effort to engage and include underserved populations; safeguard those most vulnerable to nefarious activities; provide identification without eliminating the right to privacy or to be forgotten; encourage standards for blockchain technology to "facilitate financial inclusion and other decentralized data sharing capabilities"; and "develop a collaborative approach to technology and policy design regarding digital inclusion, trust, personal data, agency, security and privacy for all demographics."
The IEEE’s Industry Connections Activity Initiation Document, reveals further details of the initiative. It identifies the conflicts between the issue of anonymity inherent with the Internet and issues of trust, safety, and security as barriers to achieving short- and long-term benefits for underserved people.
DITA is expected to deliver high-level recommendations for standards proposals regarding digital inclusion, contribute to white papers, make recommendations for the development of educational material, and make recommendations for certificate materials and approaches. DITA will create "roadmap documents" that relate to various technologies and industries, and proposals for events and summits related to its goals.
DITA is expected to complete its work by March 2019.
