Kenya
Fraud attempts surged from 10 percent in January to a 17 percent in June 2023 according to a report by Smile ID (formerly Smile Identity).
The increase puts Kenya at the highest-risk country for ID fraud compared to other African countries.
Moreover, the Kenyan National ID card has emerged as the primary target of fraudsters. Over the last six months, Kenya has experienced a seven percent increase in fraud, specifically aimed at compromising the integrity of the National ID.
Smile ID has an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kenyan government to verify the National ID for KYC.
Global
SITA, the technology provider owned by the transport sector, has announced a deal with decentralised identity startup Indicio for Digital Travel Credentials (DTC). It will enable passengers to store a digital version of their passport in a mobile wallet in line with standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The decentralised identity can be verified using blockchain, but the blockchain does not store personal data.
In 2021 the two organisations unveiled a digital health credential for the Caribbean Island of Aruba. They extended that collaboration and piloted Digital Travel Credentials earlier this year, also in Aruba.
Now they reportedly aim to develop the solution further and deploy it across the travel industry.
Australia
The Tech Council of Australia has created a new working group designed to advocate for reform on both digital identity and digital credentials initiatives.
The working group will be led by former NSW minister for customer service and digital government, Victor Dominello.
“Fit-for-purpose digital ID would give more control to the individual on what information they share and for how long, significantly enhancing privacy and security settings,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post.
“I look forward to working with the tech sector to help support Australian governments drive this important work forward.”
Tech Council of Australia CEO Kate Pounder told iTnews that the “new working group will bring together a multidisciplinary group of experts from across the Tech Council membership, under the leadership of Victor Dominello, to advocate for reform and offer helpful advice and support to governments on digital identity and digital credentials initiatives.”
Japan / Jordan
Japan and Jordan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement to boost both countries’ digital transformations, according to reports in the Jordan Times.
With strong global allies such as the UK that have previously signed a MoU agreement with Japan, the partnership is expected to synchronise a similar roadmap to boosting digital transformation efforts in both Japan and Jordan.
The two sides will exchange expertise, mechanisms and modern technology to fulfil joint digital priorities and elevate digital public infrastructure. reports suggest the partnership will focus on transforming digital identity, data-sharing, digital payments, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud technology, among other things.
Global
There has been a slowdown in investment in digital identity, according to a new report from market intelligence firm Liminal.
While 2021 was a rush of investment in digital IDs, amounting to $71.4 billion in 87 product contracts, 2022 slowed — $8.7 billion investment in 32 deals. This year has so far recorded 32 deals collectively valued at $3.2 billion, according to the Investing in Identity report. Liminal says that the pace of deals may slow later this year.
However, corporate acquisitions will continue. “The narrative is shifting from growth to value investing, and significant consolidation of digital identity solution providers is anticipated,” said the report.
The report also noted that the digital ID sector has seen an explosion of new companies. In 2016, there were only around 300 firms operating in the industry while that number reached 2000 in 2023.
United Kingdom
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has indicated it will be looking into possible issues created by the UK launch of iris-scanning cryptocurrency project Worldcoin.
The regulator has also reminded organisations of their obligations to comply with data-protection law, especially in cases where sensitive biometric data is involved, according to PublicTechnology.net.
Worldcoin is the brainchild of Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI – the tech firm behind ChatGPT.
The three cornerstones of the project include a digital identity, World ID, and the token-based Worldcoin cryptocurrency. These are brought together via the World app, which “enables payment, purchases and transfers globally using digital assets and traditional currencies”, according to the project’s website.
India / Sri Lanka
India has given INR 450 million ($5.44) to Sri Lanka to fund its digital identity project, a critical step in that country’s digitalisation programme.
India’s High Commissioner Gopal Bagley handed over the money to Technology Minister Kanaka Herath, constituting 15 percent of the total funds required for the project, the President’s Office said.
The project aims to collect biographic and biometric information, including facial, iris and fingerprint data, which will be stored in a centralised system to issue identification cards as per the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The goal is to provide more effective and efficient delivery of government services, poverty reduction and welfare programmes, financial inclusion through better access to banking and other products and services.
Republic of Ireland
Digital identity company Imprivata and regional partner PFH Technology Group have won a national framework contract with Health Service Executive (HSE) to deliver Imprivata OneSign, an Enterprise Access Management solution, to healthcare organisations across Ireland.
Health staff will be able to instantly access clinical systems by entering their password once per shift and reauthenticating with just the tap of their ID badge, reducing the reliance on remembering complex passwords and associated stress for stretched clinicians, while improving security of sensitive patient data.
The framework competition was conducted by Tallaght University Hospital on behalf of the HSE. David Wall, CIO at Tallaght University Hospital, said: “Clinical staff will be able to move seamlessly between systems staying with the same patient, which provides the infrastructure to support effective clinical decision making. “
The Imprivata solution is part of the eHealth National Single Sign-on project and will be made available across the Irish public health and social care system to provide a digital workplace.
United Arab Emirates
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has announced that customers and companies must now use UAE Pass to access the ministry’s digital services online and on smartphones.
From August 15, 2023, MoIAT’s customers will need to have registered for UAE Pass to access the ministry’s services, including specification, conformity and accreditation services.
