For those who have followed this site for any length of time now, you may be aware that I did an article on Mastercard and their partnership with Microsoft to create “universal digital identities” back in 2018. As you can see from the tweet below, as “ingenious” as this seemed to both Microsoft and Mastercard, some read between the lines and weren’t as impressed.
If you pay attention to the articles I’ve been posting as of late, you’ll see that much of the new technologies and initiatives being implemented or at the very least proposed, bring the same issues to the forefront: privacy and security.
- ID2020 Initiative
- Quantum-dot Tattoos with Vaccinations
- Contact Tracing Apps
- Covi-Pass Digital Health Passport
As interesting as some of these technologies may sound, people have a genuine worry that we will essentially be trading comfort that these things may bring with privacy, security, and even freedoms if abused. At the time I referenced Fast Company’s article on this subject and shared their take on it,
What this announcement seems to be describing is a streamlined identification system: a not-too-far-off world where people are identified under a universal protocol that checks in on them at various points during their lives–when they vote, when they get married, etc. It’s the kind of a citizen-check system a totalitarian regime could only dream of.
Now we fast forward 2 years to the present and we see that they’re aiming even higher with this initiative by joining the ID2020 alliance which I reported on in March. What do I mean? In the tweet above we saw Microsoft themselves state their goals for their “universally-recognized digital identity” in 2018.
They listed several activities and facets of life that need an ID of some sort which they want to bring together in one common (or universal) identification. I explained in my article how the goal of ID2020 is to give everyone on planet earth a digital identification of some type. We can see that what they hope to achieve or at least envision is a universal identification system that’s global in nature which is in tandem with ID2020’s goals.
As the world moves more and more into a digital system, everything about our lives becomes progressively tracked and monitored. For example, instead of paying with cash we’re increasingly using debit/credit cards or even our phones. Purchases with cash can’t be tracked but digital purchases can and are. Now move this idea into other areas of life and I think you see the picture. If this doesn’t raise some red flags as to who will oversee this data and how it could be abused, I don’t know what will.
Mastercard joins blockchain digital identity alliance ID2020
From Ledger Insights: Yesterday, the payments firm Mastercard announced it is joining the ID2020 Alliance to explore digital identity solutions. The ID2020 Alliance was founded by Accenture, Microsoft, Gavi, Rockefeller Foundation and IDEO. Partners include NGOs, private companies and UN agencies.
The ongoing pandemic has led to the emergence of digital-only solutions that require users to prove who they are. Digital identity could play a significant role in facilitating access to a range of digital services.
“We must work together to establish consistency and common standards across the globe that can make this a reality, addressing real challenges faced by people every day and sparking continued innovation,” said Ajay Bhalla, president, Cyber & Intelligence, Mastercard.
Last year, Mastercard said it was exploring decentralized digital identity for verifying financial transactions, government interactions, and online services. It is a well-established fact that digital identity could enable banking and other services for people with no physical papers or credit history.
The World Bank estimates over a billion people lack any form of legally recognized identification. This hinders their access to vital services, including healthcare, social protection, education and finance. Several solutions are being developed globally, but ID2020 believes collaboration and global partnerships are key to digital identity adoption.
Digital identity can be a powerful force multiplier to enhance social and economic opportunities for all people,’ said Dakota Gruener, Executive Director of ID2020. ‘But to fully realize that potential, governments, technology companies, financial institutions and civil society must collaborate. We are delighted to welcome Mastercard to the ID2020 Alliance and applaud their commitment to privacy-protecting, user-centric digital identity.
Gruener recently penned a Harvard whitepaper about COVID-19 immunity certificates for the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics. The ID2020 Alliance enables partners to pool in funds and other resources to develop digital identity projects. The Alliance has already launched pilots and recently worked with the Government of Bangladesh to launch a digital identity program for vaccination in the country. Read More
Prophetic Implications
By now, most of us who study bible prophecy already have a good idea as to how this system can be used (or abused) in the future. The bible makes it clear there is coming a time period on earth that will be unparalleled in suffering.
That during this time period there will be one man who has control over all the inhabitants of the world and is able to monitor their activities and allow or prevent those he sees fit from participating in society if they refuse to comply. This is the 7 year tribulation that many Christians are actively sounding the alarm about.
He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:16-17)
We’re already seeing calls for a global governing system and a man with a plan to fix all of our problems right now as well as the technology that’s capable of monitoring and tracking people on a large scale. I and many other Christians believe that what we’re actively witnessing is the stage being set for this time period at a rapid pace. As the tribulation period looms over the horizon and many tribulation events cast a shadow in our time, we know that the rapture – which takes place before the tribulation – is even closer.
I write this not to scare but to encourage you that our redemption draws near. If you haven’t placed your faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, I encourage you to look into God’s free gift of salvation for yourself and do so today. You do not want to be here during this horrible time in human history.
Privacy and security concerns (as legitimate as those are) will be the least of anyone’s worries then. Let’s continue to use each day to share the gospel and warn others about what’s to come. Marantha!
Sources
- Mastercard joins blockchain digital identity alliance ID2020 (May 22nd, 2020) – Ledger Insights
- Mastercard and Microsoft have a frightening plan to create universal “digital identities” (December 4th, 2018) – Fast Company