United States
Idemia’s US parent is considering selling the global biometrics and digital identity firm, possibly by breaking it up, according to a Reuters report.
Advent has reportedly approached investment banks as it considers launching an auction later in 2022.
Thales has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring assets from Idemia in a sale at a valuation of €3 billion to €4 billion (roughly US$3.4 billion to $4.6 billion), though antitrust regulations would limit which parts Thales could bid for. Thales recently confirmed its interest in adding cybersecurity assets, but denied it was in talks with Atos.
Global
A new report from digital identity advisory firm Liminal claims the ‘reusable’ identity market may grow from $32.8 billion in 2022 to $266.5 billion by 2027 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 68.9 percent.
Liminal describes reusable digital identity applications as those that can “securely store verified information on an individual that is easily federated when transacting with a new entity, and enables a many-to-many relationship between consumers and organizations.” This means web users can use one trusted online ID for any site which accepts it rather than having to start a new profile each time.
According to the company, the growth of reusable digital identity applications is currently mainly driven by the demand for interoperable identity credentials that can streamline customer onboarding and post-onboarding customer experiences.
Liminal believes companies and governments should increasingly focus on the development of interoperable networks, public-private partnerships, and fully-fledged, digital ID ecosystems.
Europe
A European Union gambling industry association is backing a proposed continental digital ID even though it has some concerns.
In supporting a single eID for the EU, industry leaders are aligned with the European Commission, which has said it wants 80 percent of citizens to have an eID by 2030.
Eleven of 28 nations represented by the commission are already debating digital IDs for their respective electorates, according to the European Gaming and Betting Association, or EGBA. Only four were seriously considering such a move in 2018, as per Biometric Update.
Nigeria
Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is going ahead with its plan of introducing tokens for the national identification number (NIN) as part of its know your customer (KYC) policy update, according to Techcabal.
The idea to tokenize the NIN for digital ID verification was first suggested last year, but the move was met with criticism from stakeholders who felt the idea was rushed and lacked proper consultation.
The NIMC however now appears poised to advance with the proposal, and is calling on NIN holders to generate a token either from the NIMC mobile application or via a USSD code dedicated for that purpose, the report notes. The NIN token issuance rolled out in January, according to Techcabal.
Romania
Romanian startup Qoobiss, which offers digital identity verification services and automates the KYC process for Romanian ID cards, has signed a partnership with online sports betting company Get’s Bet, for the provision of digital identity verification services.
With the Qoobiss software automatically verifying customer identification data, the Get’s Bet online betting platform ensures the identity verification flow 100 percent online, by analyzing photos of the identity card when a new online account is created. Qoobiss scans the identification document, extracts the customer’s information, performs an instant verification of the user’s identity, and validates the identity document, maintaining the complete confidentiality of the data.
United Arab Emirates
Digital identity verification firm IDnow has opened its doors in Dubai’s DIFC Innovation Hub.
The Middle East and Africa digital identity verification market is expected to hit $800 million by 2025, and this is IDnow’s first office outside Europe, adding to its headquarters in Munich, and offices across Leipzig, Düsseldorf, London and Manchester.
“The Middle East is a rapidly growing market for digital identity verification, supporting the region’s booming and innovative digital economy,” said Oliver Obitayo, the chief commercial officer of IDnow Group who will also head up the company’s regional team.
“We have been working in conjunction with regional regulators for more than two years, and the time is right to expand our presence with a dedicated team and office. IDnow’s combination of international experience, German-quality standards and in-depth knowledge of requirements across Middle East jurisdictions, puts us in a unique position to serve government, regulators, banks, financial services, enterprises and fintechs.”
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with India to obtain a grant to implement the Unitary Digital Identity framework.
The proposal was made by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Technology, said the Department of Government Information.
A statement noted that the Government has decided to prioritise the implementation of a Unitary Digital Identity Framework for Sri Lanka as a national level programme.
Under the proposed Unitary Digital Identity Framework, it is expected to introduce a personal identity verification device based on biometric data, and the identification of individual identities that can be accurately verified in digital and physical environments by combining the two devices.
Australia
A new national system for citizens to verify their identity online when accessing public services is a top priority for Australia’s digital and data ministers this year.
The nation’s digital and data ministers have met to discuss the new national system and agreed to make it a top priority for 2022.
A spokesperson for federal digital minister Stuart Robert told The Mandarin the government was currently considering the timing of the introduction of the bill into parliament.
“A summary of the feedback received will be published on the Digital Identity website before legislation is introduced to Parliament.” the spokesperson said.
“DTA has undertaken extensive consultation on the Trusted Digital identity Bill, including with the state and territories. The Commonwealth and all jurisdictions are united in providing a seamless end to end experience for people across all levels of government.”
Global
SecureAuth has appointed Paul Trulove as its new CEO and Mandeep Khera as its chief marketing officer.
According to the company, the hires build on the success of the Acceptto acquisition and are aimed at supporting SecureAuth’s expansion in the digital identity market.
Before joining SecureAuth, Trulove spent more than 15 years in the identity and access management market. He was behind the establishment of SailPoint as a market leader in identity governance. Trulove also contributed to the launch of a variety of new products and services at companies such as Newgistics, Sabre, and Pervasive Software.
United States
The US Inland Revenue Service has backtracked on plans to use facial recognition for online identity checks, following criticism from members of Congress and privacy advocates.
This week, the IRS announced that it would “transition away” from using digital ID provider ID.me for online identity checks. Last year, it awarded the company a contract to provide facial recognition checks for taxpayers accessing their records online. ID.me’s service requires users to record a video selfie in order to authenticate their identity, the New York Times reported.
Critics of the contract included senator Ron Wyden, who wrote “it is simply unacceptable to force Americans to submit to scans using facial recognition technology as a condition of interacting with the government online”.
Cambodia
The General Department of Identification in the Ministry of Interior is already making preparations to use a digital system for identification cards, birth certificates, and passports for citizens.
The department’s deputy director Lieutenant General Top Neth, during the Cross-Talk with Khmer Times, said the digital system called “Integrated Population Identification System” is being developed under the initiative of Interior Minister Sar Kheng and the support of the government.
“All citizens’ personal information, including biometric data, is collected and securely encrypted and stored in the server and subsequently we can start providing digital services,” he said, adding that they have been studying this digital system and it will be done in stages.
EMEA
Provider of third-party identity risk solutions SecZetta has announced the opening of its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) headquarters in London, UK.
Phil Allen, an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience in identity management has been named general manager, EMEA. Allen most recently served as VP and general manager, EMEA at Ping Identity.
United States
First Advantage Corporation, which provides technology for screening, verifications, safety and compliance related to human capital, has signed a strategic technology integration partnership with UK-based digital identity firm, Yoti.
The technology integration partnership will allow First Advantage to offer Yoti digital identity services directly through the First Advantage technology platform. This partnership arrives ahead of planned changes to the UK Right to Work & UK DBS Checks. According to a UK government policy paper published 27 December 2021, allowing for digital identity services will give employers greater confidence in confirming prospective employees’ identities. Digital identity checks, which take effect 6 April 2022, will allow employers to reduce risk and recruit more safely.
