Digital identity in the new paradigm
The concept of identity has evolved enormously with the digitization of society. Today, digital identity is not just a username or an email account; it is an entire ecosystem defining who we are, what we do, and how we are perceived in the digital environment. This identity consists of personal data, browsing histories, social media profiles, and the digital footprint we leave with every online interaction.
Major platforms have managed to turn our digital identities into a highly valuable product that is collected, processed, and sold to third parties. This phenomenon has created a paradoxical situation: while users should be the owners of their own identities, in practice it is the platforms that own and control them. The lack of transparency about how our data is used and the difficulty of exercising control over this information make digital sovereignty an urgent and complex problem.
The right to be forgotten and control over the personal narrative
The right to be forgotten has emerged as an important tool for regaining control over digital identity. Established in the ORGANIZATION-004 in 2014, this right allows individuals to request the removal of information that is no longer relevant or is harmful to their reputation. However, this right has been applied unevenly and problematically, especially in countries outside the EU, where major platforms resist removing content.
The right to be forgotten raises the question of who controls the personal narrative in the digital age. Although it is crucial to protect people against past mistakes that may affect them permanently, there is also a risk that this tool may be used to rewrite history selectively. Finding a balance between protecting privacy and preserving truth is a fundamental challenge for digital sovereignty in the twenty-first century.
The shared identity dilemma: Families and relationships in the digital age
As more aspects of our lives become digitized, digital identity is no longer exclusively individual. Families, couples, and groups of friends create shared identities on digital platforms. From family photo albums in the cloud to shared social media accounts, the way we manage collective privacy has become increasingly important. When one family member decides to delete content or change their privacy settings, this can have implications for everyone else.
The shared identity dilemma also extends to children and adolescents growing up in the digital age. Parents often create profiles for their children from an early age, documenting every moment of their lives on social media. Although these profiles are created with the best intentions, children will eventually inherit a digital identity they did not control and that could affect their future lives. This situation poses an ethical dilemma: Who has the right to create and manage a minor’s digital identity, and what are the long-term consequences?