Data protection for social protection: Key issues for low- and middle-income countries

Overview:

This paper discusses the data protection and privacy challenges that arise as social protection systems become more digital. With a focus on low- and middle-income countries, it explains key principles such as accountability, data minimisation, purpose limitation, fairness, transparency, accuracy, security safeguards, and data subject rights. The paper provides practical questions for policymakers and practitioners working on digital social protection systems, including issues around data responsibility, breaches, lawful processing, access rights, automation, biometrics, and grievance redress.

Authors: Ben Wagner and Carolina Ferro.