Dr Margie Cheesman
@margchee.bsky.social
Lecturer in Digital Economy at King's College London 🤖 Anthropologist writing mainly about tech and aid.
https://about.me/cheesman
https://about.me/cheesman
Why "inclusive" digital ID isn't enough.
@bronwenmanby.bsky.social: "For people whose nationality is unrecognized or in doubt, being added to an identity system may not improve their legal status—and, in some cases, may entrench existing forms of exclusion."
caribou.global/publications...
@bronwenmanby.bsky.social: "For people whose nationality is unrecognized or in doubt, being added to an identity system may not improve their legal status—and, in some cases, may entrench existing forms of exclusion."
caribou.global/publications...
Statelessness and Digital Identity | Caribou
How digital ID systems affect stateless people, and why inclusion must go beyond registration to ensure rights and recognition
caribou.global
December 11, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Why "inclusive" digital ID isn't enough.
@bronwenmanby.bsky.social: "For people whose nationality is unrecognized or in doubt, being added to an identity system may not improve their legal status—and, in some cases, may entrench existing forms of exclusion."
caribou.global/publications...
@bronwenmanby.bsky.social: "For people whose nationality is unrecognized or in doubt, being added to an identity system may not improve their legal status—and, in some cases, may entrench existing forms of exclusion."
caribou.global/publications...
New article w @cearadau.bsky.social
Connecting feminist theory with technology studies, our lens - technosocial reproduction - explains how tech interventions should replenish rather than deplete the overlooked work people already do to sustain life.
www.eflux.com/architecture...
Connecting feminist theory with technology studies, our lens - technosocial reproduction - explains how tech interventions should replenish rather than deplete the overlooked work people already do to sustain life.
www.eflux.com/architecture...
Humanitarianism - Margie Cheesman et al. - Technosocial Reproduction and Humanitarian Reason
A white van rolled through the gates of a refugee camp in mainland Greece, its driver unloading a stack of pre-packaged lunches.
www.e-flux.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:57 AM
New article w @cearadau.bsky.social
Connecting feminist theory with technology studies, our lens - technosocial reproduction - explains how tech interventions should replenish rather than deplete the overlooked work people already do to sustain life.
www.eflux.com/architecture...
Connecting feminist theory with technology studies, our lens - technosocial reproduction - explains how tech interventions should replenish rather than deplete the overlooked work people already do to sustain life.
www.eflux.com/architecture...
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
💥 Sovereignty as a service. New article in Media, Culture & Society on how big tech companies are co-opting and redefining digital sovereignty. Co-authored by me and Alexandre Costa Barbosa
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
November 12, 2025 at 9:38 AM
💥 Sovereignty as a service. New article in Media, Culture & Society on how big tech companies are co-opting and redefining digital sovereignty. Co-authored by me and Alexandre Costa Barbosa
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
Ahead of publication of our special issue on Authoritarianism in the Digital Age, the editorial sets out the approach we have taken to the topic and describes the 48 diverse and rich papers in the volume- most of which are already available to read. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Ahead of publication of our special issue on Authoritarianism in the Digital Age, the editorial sets out the approach we have taken to the topic and describes the 48 diverse and rich papers in the volume- most of which are already available to read. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
📸 In analysis of Henrietta Williams' photographs of the Ring of Steel, Dr George Legg from @kingsinterhums.bsky.social explores the impact of invisible security technology in the City of London – showing how hiding surveillance prevents us from querying its intentions.
🔗 Read more ⤵️
buff.ly/d6KjphO
🔗 Read more ⤵️
buff.ly/d6KjphO
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 AM
📸 In analysis of Henrietta Williams' photographs of the Ring of Steel, Dr George Legg from @kingsinterhums.bsky.social explores the impact of invisible security technology in the City of London – showing how hiding surveillance prevents us from querying its intentions.
🔗 Read more ⤵️
buff.ly/d6KjphO
🔗 Read more ⤵️
buff.ly/d6KjphO
FYI Londoners: a timely event connecting global perspectives on #digitalID.
I'll share new work w Andreas Hack on 'the imposter economy': how refugees borrow or modify identities and locations to navigate exclusion from digital platforms, while targeted by resettlement, study, and employment scams.
I'll share new work w Andreas Hack on 'the imposter economy': how refugees borrow or modify identities and locations to navigate exclusion from digital platforms, while targeted by resettlement, study, and employment scams.
📣 Registration is open for our event Reimagining Digital ID @mediacomgold.bsky.social @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social w/ findings from our www.redid.net project and talks by colleagues working on implications of Digital ID in Global South, migrant & refugee contexts explore.gold/digital-id All welcome! ⬇️
October 29, 2025 at 9:56 AM
FYI Londoners: a timely event connecting global perspectives on #digitalID.
I'll share new work w Andreas Hack on 'the imposter economy': how refugees borrow or modify identities and locations to navigate exclusion from digital platforms, while targeted by resettlement, study, and employment scams.
I'll share new work w Andreas Hack on 'the imposter economy': how refugees borrow or modify identities and locations to navigate exclusion from digital platforms, while targeted by resettlement, study, and employment scams.
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
📣 Registration is open for our event Reimagining Digital ID @mediacomgold.bsky.social @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social w/ findings from our www.redid.net project and talks by colleagues working on implications of Digital ID in Global South, migrant & refugee contexts explore.gold/digital-id All welcome! ⬇️
October 28, 2025 at 10:56 AM
📣 Registration is open for our event Reimagining Digital ID @mediacomgold.bsky.social @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social w/ findings from our www.redid.net project and talks by colleagues working on implications of Digital ID in Global South, migrant & refugee contexts explore.gold/digital-id All welcome! ⬇️
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
Last week at @periodismomigra.bsky.social we had a great conversation w @gonzalofanjul.bsky.social @josebautista.bsky.social about development agencies and EU funds in externalization policies.
I wrote about the surveillance component of this EU approach to cooperation
gr.boell.org/en/2025/09/3...
I wrote about the surveillance component of this EU approach to cooperation
gr.boell.org/en/2025/09/3...
Outsourcing surveillance: The technological side of border externalisation | Heinrich Böll Stiftung - Thessaloniki Office
One of the latest iterations of the border externalisation strategy includes the export of surveillance technologies and border control infrastructure. These tools – ranging from biometric databases a...
gr.boell.org
October 7, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Last week at @periodismomigra.bsky.social we had a great conversation w @gonzalofanjul.bsky.social @josebautista.bsky.social about development agencies and EU funds in externalization policies.
I wrote about the surveillance component of this EU approach to cooperation
gr.boell.org/en/2025/09/3...
I wrote about the surveillance component of this EU approach to cooperation
gr.boell.org/en/2025/09/3...
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
Somalis abroad send hundreds of millions of dollars home each year, more than official aid flows.
Read: ⬇️
Read: ⬇️
The diaspora lifeline that helps keep Somali families afloat
Somalis abroad send hundreds of millions of dollars home each year, more than official aid flows.
buff.ly
October 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Somalis abroad send hundreds of millions of dollars home each year, more than official aid flows.
Read: ⬇️
Read: ⬇️
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
A video I recorded w/Women in Identity underlining the dangers of universal #digitalidentity, the significant impact of these rapidly evolving technologies & the (un)intended consequences they will have in challenging people's right to exist & citizenship. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBV1...
Talking Legal Identity, Race and Belonging with Dr Eve Hayes de Kalaf
YouTube video by Women in Identity
www.youtube.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
A video I recorded w/Women in Identity underlining the dangers of universal #digitalidentity, the significant impact of these rapidly evolving technologies & the (un)intended consequences they will have in challenging people's right to exist & citizenship. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBV1...
Read this excellent summary of our article on the proposed UK #digitalidentity system.
Thanks Antonella @svaroschi.bsky.social
#Britcard
Thanks Antonella @svaroschi.bsky.social
#Britcard
In July, Keren Weitzberg, @empo11on.bsky.social and @margchee.bsky.social wrote about the digital ID proposal.
The three experts say that the current proposal presents a false choice between digital exclusion and mass surveillance.
A few key points 🧵
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
The three experts say that the current proposal presents a false choice between digital exclusion and mass surveillance.
A few key points 🧵
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
The Britcard – progressive or concerning? | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
September 28, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Read this excellent summary of our article on the proposed UK #digitalidentity system.
Thanks Antonella @svaroschi.bsky.social
#Britcard
Thanks Antonella @svaroschi.bsky.social
#Britcard
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
In July, Keren Weitzberg, @empo11on.bsky.social and @margchee.bsky.social wrote about the digital ID proposal.
The three experts say that the current proposal presents a false choice between digital exclusion and mass surveillance.
A few key points 🧵
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
The three experts say that the current proposal presents a false choice between digital exclusion and mass surveillance.
A few key points 🧵
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
The Britcard – progressive or concerning? | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
September 28, 2025 at 9:28 AM
In July, Keren Weitzberg, @empo11on.bsky.social and @margchee.bsky.social wrote about the digital ID proposal.
The three experts say that the current proposal presents a false choice between digital exclusion and mass surveillance.
A few key points 🧵
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
The three experts say that the current proposal presents a false choice between digital exclusion and mass surveillance.
A few key points 🧵
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
Public criticism of compulsory ID has a long history in the UK, which predates the advent of Twitter/X (in fact, it even predates the Blair-era controversy over biometric ID cards in the early 2000s). Also, criticism of the new scheme is coming from BOTH the right & left of the political spectrum.
Today’s digital ID announcement yet another example of how X being the main platform for political discourse will inevitably throw the MSM’s coverage off course, because online right opinion is fevered/way off the beat with the public.
Guess who need digital/reliable ID most? Those in poverty.
Guess who need digital/reliable ID most? Those in poverty.
September 27, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Public criticism of compulsory ID has a long history in the UK, which predates the advent of Twitter/X (in fact, it even predates the Blair-era controversy over biometric ID cards in the early 2000s). Also, criticism of the new scheme is coming from BOTH the right & left of the political spectrum.
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
what a time to be alive
September 26, 2025 at 11:05 AM
what a time to be alive
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
It appears the UK Labor government is moving forward with plans to introduce digital IDs to address complex migration challenges www.ft.com/content/f2b3...
In July, @margchee.bsky.social, @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social and I wrote about the challenges that lie ahead
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
In July, @margchee.bsky.social, @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social and I wrote about the challenges that lie ahead
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Keir Starmer set to unveil digital ID scheme
UK prime minister hoping to avoid his Labour predecessor’s failure to push through plan in the 2000s
www.ft.com
September 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
It appears the UK Labor government is moving forward with plans to introduce digital IDs to address complex migration challenges www.ft.com/content/f2b3...
In July, @margchee.bsky.social, @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social and I wrote about the challenges that lie ahead
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
In July, @margchee.bsky.social, @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social and I wrote about the challenges that lie ahead
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
How aid distribution turned lethal - the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation www.economist.com/interactive/...
Satellite images show how receiving aid in Gaza became so deadly
Hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli gunfire and in crushes while trying to collect food
www.economist.com
August 19, 2025 at 10:17 AM
How aid distribution turned lethal - the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation www.economist.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
“Cryptocurrency, once just a niche financial curiosity, is now at the forefront of economic warfare,” argue Adam Zarazinski and Bruno Faviero.
Swap Around and Find Out: The New Rules of International Digital Economic Warfare - War on the Rocks
On Feb. 21, 2025, North Korean state hackers linked to the Lazarus Group pulled off the largest digital theft in history, stealing around $1.5 billion
warontherocks.com
August 19, 2025 at 7:45 AM
“Cryptocurrency, once just a niche financial curiosity, is now at the forefront of economic warfare,” argue Adam Zarazinski and Bruno Faviero.
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
New paper out in @bigdatasoc.bsky.social on #humanitarian #data #sovereignty💥
doi.org/10.1177/2053...
My deep gratitude to @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social, @margchee.bsky.social, @emryss.bsky.social, Quito Tsui, Paul Currion, @sophiebt.bsky.social, and @massimomarelli.bsky.social for the inspiration ❤️
doi.org/10.1177/2053...
My deep gratitude to @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social, @margchee.bsky.social, @emryss.bsky.social, Quito Tsui, Paul Currion, @sophiebt.bsky.social, and @massimomarelli.bsky.social for the inspiration ❤️
Why sovereignty matters for humanitarian data - Aaron Martin, 2025
Technological interventions in aid are both complex and deeply ambiguous. Nonetheless, many contemporary controversies surrounding humanitarian data reflect und...
doi.org
July 29, 2025 at 12:54 PM
New paper out in @bigdatasoc.bsky.social on #humanitarian #data #sovereignty💥
doi.org/10.1177/2053...
My deep gratitude to @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social, @margchee.bsky.social, @emryss.bsky.social, Quito Tsui, Paul Currion, @sophiebt.bsky.social, and @massimomarelli.bsky.social for the inspiration ❤️
doi.org/10.1177/2053...
My deep gratitude to @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social, @margchee.bsky.social, @emryss.bsky.social, Quito Tsui, Paul Currion, @sophiebt.bsky.social, and @massimomarelli.bsky.social for the inspiration ❤️
Data Protection in Humanitarian Action:
Responding to Crises in a Data-Driven World www.routledge.com/Data-Protect...
Responding to Crises in a Data-Driven World www.routledge.com/Data-Protect...
Data Protection in Humanitarian Action: Responding to Crises in a Data-Driven World
This book is the product of a collaboration between the data protection offices of the ICRC and UNHCR, alongside the Global Privacy Assembly, to reflect on a decade of progress in data protection in h...
www.routledge.com
July 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Data Protection in Humanitarian Action:
Responding to Crises in a Data-Driven World www.routledge.com/Data-Protect...
Responding to Crises in a Data-Driven World www.routledge.com/Data-Protect...
New blog based on our research with humanitarians navigating the current funding crisis.
What should the future of humanitarian data management look like?
caribou.global/publications... @emryss.bsky.social
What should the future of humanitarian data management look like?
caribou.global/publications... @emryss.bsky.social
The Reset Imperative: Digital Identity in Humanitarian Response | Caribou
In crisis situations, establishing a person’s identity remains a fundamental challenge. Here's how digital ID systems need to improve in humanitarian response.
caribou.global
July 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM
New blog based on our research with humanitarians navigating the current funding crisis.
What should the future of humanitarian data management look like?
caribou.global/publications... @emryss.bsky.social
What should the future of humanitarian data management look like?
caribou.global/publications... @emryss.bsky.social
New blog with the team @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social @empo11on.bsky.social about the concerns we have about the proposed mandatory UK digital ID system blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp... @lseblogs.bsky.social
The Britcard – progressive or concerning? - British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
July 16, 2025 at 4:33 PM
New blog with the team @kerenweitzberg.bsky.social @empo11on.bsky.social about the concerns we have about the proposed mandatory UK digital ID system blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp... @lseblogs.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
Our latest on Labour's ill-advised "Britcard" blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp... with @empo11on.bsky.social and @margchee.bsky.social
The Britcard – progressive or concerning? - British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
July 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Our latest on Labour's ill-advised "Britcard" blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp... with @empo11on.bsky.social and @margchee.bsky.social
"digital identity as an object of knowledge is not coterminous with how migrants make and perceive themselves as subjects. This latter is in part shaped by the multiple bordering mechanisms and by violent extractive processes"
Glad to see the article “Which Data Am I?”. The Making of Migrants' Scattered Subjectivities and the Impossibility of Giving an Account of Oneself" now out in International Migration.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
special issue on The Digitized Migration
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
special issue on The Digitized Migration
“Which Data Am I?”. The Making of Migrants' Scattered Subjectivities and the Impossibility of Giving an Account of Oneself
This paper interrogates the making of digital subjectivities that stem from the multiple data extractions that migrants experience. It argues that the digitalisation of the border regime does not pro...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
"digital identity as an object of knowledge is not coterminous with how migrants make and perceive themselves as subjects. This latter is in part shaped by the multiple bordering mechanisms and by violent extractive processes"
Digital borders operate within humanitarian spaces, not just at national frontiers.
@kerenweitzberg.bsky.social's new paper: how humanitarian biometric systems don't only track refugees - they actively exclude people from citizenship rights.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
@kerenweitzberg.bsky.social's new paper: how humanitarian biometric systems don't only track refugees - they actively exclude people from citizenship rights.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Keeping people out of camps: biometric technologies, contested sovereignty, and border practices within humanitarian spaces
Drawing upon fieldwork, interviews and grey literature, this article focuses on the experiences of Kenya's ‘double registered’: citizens registered as refugees. Due to policy decisions dating back ...
www.tandfonline.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Digital borders operate within humanitarian spaces, not just at national frontiers.
@kerenweitzberg.bsky.social's new paper: how humanitarian biometric systems don't only track refugees - they actively exclude people from citizenship rights.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
@kerenweitzberg.bsky.social's new paper: how humanitarian biometric systems don't only track refugees - they actively exclude people from citizenship rights.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Dr Margie Cheesman
Very proud to share our project website 'Reimagining Digital Identity systems among Karen refugees in Thailand'. www.redid.net The site is in S'gaw Karen & English - we wanted to foreground the language of our participants as our research is primarily for them, not just English-speaking audiences
Home | REDID Project
Reimagining Digital Identity Practices among Karen refugees in Thailand
www.redid.net
July 8, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Very proud to share our project website 'Reimagining Digital Identity systems among Karen refugees in Thailand'. www.redid.net The site is in S'gaw Karen & English - we wanted to foreground the language of our participants as our research is primarily for them, not just English-speaking audiences