Switzerland
The Swiss parliament is preparing to debate a new law regulating its digital identity, paving the way for the planned introduction of the country’s e-ID in 2026.
The parliament’s lower house, the Swiss National Council, recently approved the E-ID Act, also greenlighting a budget of 100 million francs (US$113.3 million) for developing the digital identity system. The next step will be gaining the approval of Switzerland’s upper house, the Council of States, according to reports.
Global
The G7 countries say they are committed to the OECD Recommendation on the Governance of Digital Identity, promoting “the development of digital identity systems that are user-centred and inclusive, supported by appropriate governance, including security and privacy safeguards.”
They said they will develop a Mapping Exercise of Digital Identity Approaches across the G7 to find commonalities in members’ approaches to digital identity.
“Sharing examples of how G7 governments are approaching and leveraging digital government services, and digital identity in particular, is essential to learn from each other, including on how to foster more inclusive digital governments,” they said. “We call on the OECD to support us in this effort through the development of a Compendium of Digital Government Services and a Mapping Exercise of Digital Identity Approaches.”
Cayman Islands
The government has announced plans to begin issuing ID cards to the elderly and youngsters in Cayman as part of a pilot programme before the end of this year, followed by a rollout to the entire population in 2025.
Tamara Ebanks, chief officer in the Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development said the pilot programme for the electronic identity cards, or eIDs, is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2024.
United Kingdom / Iceland
Signicat is expanding its reach in Iceland with the acquisition of SmartWorks, the country’s largest provider of digital identity and fraud prevention in electronic signing.
Signicat currently facilitates more than 35 national digital identities on its Digital Identity Platform, simplifying electronic interactions between businesses, public administrations, and their customers.
Founded in Reykjavik in 2016, SmartWorks is today the largest provider of e-signatures and anti-fraud solutions in this field in Iceland. The company counts large companies from all sectors among its clients, including the government. Its clients include Íslandsbanki, Brimborg and the City of Reykjavik.
Global
Users predict that almost 80 percent of organisations will adopt mobile IDs, and industry partners even more optimistic at 94 percent, according to a new report from HID Global.
The report indicates that about 64 percent of organizations already have some level of Mobile ID deployment.
Despite the uptrend, the report notes some sectors’ continued need for physical ID cards, with 46 percent of end-users and 59 percent of industry partners highlighting the requirement for a visible image on ID badges. This need is more pronounced in industries with high in-person interactions or stringent security requirements, like government, healthcare, transportation, and hospitality.
United States
SITA has announced its position as the lead investor in decentralised identity firm Indicio’s Series A funding round. This investment strengthens a longstanding partnership between the two, aiming to fast-track the adoption of trusted digital identities for travel.
The collaboration is set to introduce Digital Travel Credentials, allowing travellers to digitally encode their physical passports in alignment with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards. These credentials, along with digital IDs and travel documents like visas and boarding passes, will be stored in passengers’ mobile wallets, empowering them with control over their personal data.
United Kingdom
Shops could soon be able to accept digital age verification, rather than a physical ID, for alcohol sales, with a government consultation on the change due to close at the end of March. The consultation was launched to examine whether technology has a place in age-restricted sales of alcohol in retail and hospitality.
It is expected the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, when it is passed, will establish a basis to enable digital ID to be used by stores with the same confidence as physical documents. However the legislation would face a review every 12 months after it becomes law, reports Better Retailing.
Peru
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Peru’s National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC) and the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIIT-B), marking a step forward in digital identification systems in Peru.
Under the agreement, MOSIP- standing for Modular Open Source Identity Platform – will collaborate with RENIEC to execute a pilot programme to register 500-1000 individuals, utilising Peru’s existing infrastructure. This pilot is not only set to test the viability of MOSIP’s technology in Peru’s digital public infrastructure but also to pave the way for a broader, national rollout, says Identity Week.
Australia
Australia’s long-planned national digital identification system has finally received its brand and logo. The Australian Tax Office has applied to trademark the name myID, reports Biometric Update.
The government expects that the myID platform will be used by Australian citizens to access government and private services, confirm their age, show their driver’s licence and more. A tentative rollout date was set for July 1, 2024.
