Ukraine’s digital identification system, known as Diia, is being used by the government to distribute money to Ukrainians displaced and unemployed by the war with Russia.
QUICK FACTS:
- Ukraine has developed extensive use for a digital identification system known as Diia, according to Children’s Health Defense.
- Diia takes the place of identity card, passport, license, vaccination record, registrations, insurance, health reimbursements, and social benefits verification.
- Since the start of the military conflict with Russia, Ukraine’s digital government services have distributed cash subsidies to citizens.
- According to Reuters, Ukrainians who lost their jobs due to the conflict were given one-off payments by the government.
- Initially, rumors circulated that the payments were tied to vaccine status, which was confirmed in-app.
- However, CHD reported that it appears the payouts are currently available to all citizens, regardless of their vaccination status.
OTHER WAYS DIIA IS USED IN THE CONFLICT:
- The app is used as a quick way for individuals to donate money to the Ukrainian military through cryptocurrency.
- The chatbot feature allows for images and videos of Russian troop movements around Ukraine to be shared with the government and other citizens.
- There is 24-hour streaming acmes to television stations and newscasts from Ukraine, according to CHD.
BACKGROUND:
- The Diia app is credited to the Ministry for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov who branded his announcement of the app on Sept. 27, 2019, calling it the “State in a Smartphone” project.
- The World Economic Forum (WEF) praised Fedorov for his work which eventually led to a streamlined way for the Ukrainian government to restrict access by the non-vaccinated to various businesses, venues, and workplaces.
