Datafied Control and Selection of Digital Identity: Estonian e-Residency as 'Citizenship by Connection'

Abstract

This article contributes to the discussions on the datafied control, selection, and (re)construction of digital borders globally. We examine the reasons for the prevailing datafied inclusion and exclusion patterns revealed by the Estonian e-residency program. This government-supported digital identity program gives non-residents remote access to Estonian e-services and business environments. Relying on the in-depth interviews conducted among the experts responsible for planning and implementing the e-residency program (n=8) and e-residents (n=25), we examined the understandings and practices on the datafied control of the e-residency applicants and the active e-residents. The findings reveal that despite the program's global spread, the applicants' datafied control and selection may legitimise and reproduce global inequalities through (re)constructed digital borders. However, data connect individuals striving for a placeless lifestyle through their digital transactions resulting in an emerging regime that this article coins as 'citizenship by connection'. Thus, datafied control constructs not only reality and borders as connected with one's territory but also creates digital borders through new practices of such 'citizenship by connection' emerging regime.