United Kingdom
The UK Government has launched a consultation on changing the law to allow the introduction of digital IDs and the age-estimating technology.
It has also said AI technology that guesses the age of shoppers wanting to buy alcohol is to be rolled out in supermarkets. The technology, using cameras installed on tills, estimates how old the customer is by scanning their face — if it believes the person is under-age, their ID would be checked by a shop assistant.
Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Co-op have already been part of trials with cameras installed on self-service tills. After a three-second scan, any customers deemed likely to be under 25 must show either a physical or digital ID to staff to buy alcohol.
Julie Dawson, Chief Policy and regulatory Officer at Yoti, said the move was “a significant step forward and demonstrates the growing importance and demand for digital proof of age.”
United States
Silicon Valley-based Stack Identity has announced its identity access risk management platform is now available to purchase through Amazon Web Services (AWS) Marketplace.
Shadow Access has quickly become one of the most pressing security challenges for organisations safeguarding valuable data in the cloud. As stated by the Cloud Security Alliance, “The consequences of Shadow Access are potentially catastrophic and threaten to impact any organisation that has an evolving cloud.”
United Kingdom
DocuSign has launched its Identity Wallet for qualified electronic signatures (QES) solution, which complies with the EU & UK eIDAS regulation (electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services). The Identity Wallet allows repeat signers to securely store their personal information and easily reuse it for subsequent QES agreements.
DocuSign’s latest offering makes it possible for signers to securely store verified identity-related data such as name, date of birth, and key identity documentation information, so they can easily reapply this information for future agreements. Leveraging the global FIDO Authentication standards, signers are then able to reapply this information to future QES agreements, by using the built-in biometric or PIN capabilities available on their preferred device.
United Kingdom
London-based fintech start-up ZORRZ is partnering with IDnow for customer onboarding for their credit solution, the BlueAccess Card.
The card features integrated Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) functionality. ZORRZ also offers an AI-powered Application Programming Interface (API) generating a Financial Health Score, as an alternative to conventional credit scores.
By harnessing IDnow’s AI-based KYC (Know Your Customer) solution, ZORRZ aims to comply with FCA regulations, ensuring real-time responses, fraud protection, and seamless customer verification. IDnow’s automated document verification, including a face biometric comparison with liveness detection, will “empower ZORRZ to streamline customer onboarding securely and efficiently.”
Singapore
Azentio Software, a Singapore-headquartered technology firm owned by funds advised by Apax Partners, has announced a strategic partnership with Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification (IDV) solutions.
The partnership will enable Azentio to harness Regula’s expertise in identity verification to embed IDV in its digital onboarding solutions. Two Regula solutions, Regula Document Reader SDK and Regula Face SDK, will be integrated with Azentio ONEBanking and Azentio ONECapitalMarkets platforms. With a complete identity verification flow, Regula Document Reader SDK will ensure automated and secure identity proofing, while Regula Face SDK will instantly perform biometric verification including liveness detection and face matching within a single interaction.
Global
Global leaders and governments worldwide should advocate for the implementation of reusable digital identities to build trust and strengthen their democratic processes – especially with more than over half of the population going to the polls in the largest electoral year in history, according to Ricardo Amper, founder and CEO of identity verification firm Incode Technologies, at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
According to the Forum, the elections in 2024 will impact more than four billion people worldwide, and “as artificial intelligence advances, so do the opportunities and risks of it being exploited by malicious actors seeking to inject distrust into democratic institutions.”
Amper called for “a global effort with governments and issuing institutions of official documents to implement reusable digital identities of citizens in a more secure manner, through AI-based digital authentication technology, to increase citizen trust and strengthen democracies.”
United States
Dapple Security, a digital identity and passwordless login startup, has raised $2.3 million in its pre-seed round. The startup leverages biometrics to replace passwords for more phishing-resistant authentication.
Dapple is offering a way for employees to replace all their passwords with a passkey. Dapple creates a digital “lock and key” from a user’s biometrics such as a fingerprint or voice. While data used for biometric authentication is often stored locally on a given device, Dapple saves the digital lock in the cloud, allowing one passkey to be used across multiple devices rather than needing to create a key on each device.
Canada
The Digital Governance Council (DGC) of Canada has rolled out a new standardised framework and trustmark to validate data integrity and security, with digital civic engagement platform PlaceSpeak first to participate in the pilot programme.
Additionally, Biometric Update reports The Digital Identification and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC) is inviting public review and comment on its work in developing the authentication component of its Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF), which aims to define a baseline for interoperability of digital identity services in the private and public sectors.
A public release says the period for review and submission of community feedback opened on January 16 and closes on February 15, 2024 at midnight.
Global
Onfido has launched its Compliance Suite, an all-in-one identity verification solution to help businesses expand into new markets and meet local regulatory needs for customer onboarding.
Onfido’s Compliance Suite introduces Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) and One-time Password (OTP) alongside no-code compliance workflows to its Real Identity Platform.
Businesses “would no longer have to daisy-chain niche, locally accredited services together and can instead bring all their local and global compliance needs under one provider and control centre so they can focus on growth while mitigating fraud.”
United Kingdom
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is to begin the process of migrating millions of users of the Government Gateway platform to GOV.UK One Login – the governmentwide system through which citizens will access services across departments. The process will begin in spring, according to Baroness Vere of Norbiton, a junior minister at HM Treasury, reported by Public Technology.
“From spring 2024 onwards, HMRC will begin to migrate new and some existing Government Gateway customers to GOV.UK One Login,” Vere said, in response to a written parliamentary question from Labour peer Lord Lipsey. “Initially, only a small number of users will be able to access HMRC services through GOV.UK One Login, with volumes building over time. This measured approach is designed to ensure a high quality experience for users as we expand its rollout.”
Think Digital Partners is pleased to announce a new event for 2024. Think Digital Identity and Cybersecurity for Government takes place in London on May 8. Find out more and get your ticket here.
