‘We need to bring the protection and security teams into this conversation – real physical harm and potentially death could come to these people.’

‘People must be terrified.’

Talking about data is often dry. And yet, in the world of personally identifiable data, it’s actually about people. Real people with skin and bones, family and friends. And so when this data is given to or gets in the hands of others who dislike them, real physical harm is likely.

It seems odd in 2021 to still need to remind people that the ID numbers generated by registration systems – whether they are school, health, or humanitarian systems – are actually people. And yet grasping this, fully grasping this, is desperately needed today, more so than 20 years ago. These record numbers are people, not an analysis game to play, or cards to barter with. People. Flesh and blood.

It’s not rocket science.

Working with people who grasp the connection and act on it is a joy. Thank you Kunal, Larry, Eric.

Photo by Ryoji Iwata