Pakistan
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced an ‘All-in-One’ digital identity kit, integrating biometric authentication features into a single device.
The new digital kit includes a high-resolution camera, iris, fingerprint, and face recognition capabilities. It is also equipped with a battery, GPS, mobile, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
According to NADRA, the ‘All-in-One’ kit holds immense potential for national identification programmes, voter registration initiatives and law enforcement agencies.
Italy
The It Wallet is earmarked for rollout in January 2025, the first digital wallet legally recognised to house all the essential documents for Italian citizens.
The digital wallet is expected to include identification such as national identity cards and drivers’ licences, although certain bureaucratic procedures are reportedly still being finalised.
To gain access to It Wallet, users will need to download the latest version of the IO application on their smartphones and activate the new feature using either their electronic identity card or the SPID system.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s suspended digital identification card programme has cost NT$202 million (US$6.27 million) in public spending, as a budget item was renewed semi-annually from January 2021 to December last year, the Central Engraving and Printing Plant said.
Officials from the mint made the comment to lawmakers in the digital ID distribution and budget utilization task force under the Legislative Yuan’s Internal Administration Committee.
In June 2019, the mint began preparations to manufacture digital ID cards containing chips under the Executive Yuan’s directive, aiming to replace existing cards in two years, they said.
The agency in February 2020 signed a contract with Teco Electric and Machinery Co for card-making equipment, which was delivered in December that year. The factory and equipment were already ready when the Executive Yuan on January 2021 halted the project due to unresolved information security issues, they said.
Teco, which had already supplied the equipment, sued the mint for the income the chip factory would have generated, the mint said, adding that the case was settled out of court.
Global
Jumio’s 2024 Online Identity Study suggest nearly 72 percent of people in the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore and Mexico worry on a day-to-day basis about being fooled by a deepfake into handing over sensitive information or money. Only 15 percent of global consumers — and only seven percent in Singapore — said they’ve never encountered a deepfake video, audio or image before.
However, consumers continue to overestimate their own ability to spot deepfakes — 60 percent believe they could detect a deepfake, up from 52 percent in 2023.
In Singapore, this number rises to 77 percent. Globally, men were more confident in their ability to spot a deepfake (66 percent men versus 55 percent women), with men aged 18-34 demonstrating the most confidence (75 percent), while women aged 35-54 were least confident (52 percent).
Zambia
Zambia has carried out a major first step in its transition towards a modern legal and digital identity system, by digitizing the records of roughly seven million people.
Biometric Updates reports on a LinkedIn post by Tariq Malik, acting as senior technical advisor for the World Bank, that notes Zambia has digitised the records for 81 percent of its legacy, paper ID cards in just three months. The plan is to complete the digitisation process by July.
Namibia
Meanwhile, Namibia is seeking to further expand the use of its national ID to more sectors.
“Legal identity is a driver of inclusive development, enabling citizens to fully participate in economic and societal activities, including access to financial services vital for economic mobility,” Ministry of Home Affairs Executive Director Etienne Maritz told The Namibian.
The country is also holding a national registration campaign for government-issued ID documents, which has already resulted in documents being issued to 38,000 people since February.
Europe / El Salvador
The European Union has signed an agreement to help El Salvador achieve an accurate digital civil registry, enhancing access to public services and digital identity. The announcement was made after EU’s digital governance experts met with their Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) counterparts in Costa Rica last week at a meeting of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance Policy Dialogue.
The EU-LAC Digital Alliance Policy Dialogue was launched in March 2023 under the EU’s Global Gateway project. The project is intended to boost cooperation on a range of issues, including digital policy, trade, internet and data governance, infrastructure and connectivity, security as well as emerging technologies such as AI. Its total budget is 172 million euros (US$186.8 million).
The EU plans to assist the Latin American country update its outdated birth and death registration system by sharing its technical and regulatory expertise. The news comes after 5.1 million records of Salvadorans’ personal information, including facial images, were discovered to be leaked on the dark web this month.
Barbados
The government of Barbados will use the country’s digital identity to improve responses to vulnerable people during crises such as emergencies and conflicts or in situations such as partner violence and healthcare interventions.
The Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, has been working with other government agencies on mapping vulnerable people by using data from the census, the Coastal Zone Management Unit and the Lands and Surveys Department which has developed a building identifier project named Building ID.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Biometric Update also reports that Saint Kitts and Nevis is working on a digital ID project with the help of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) of Taiwan as the executing agency.
The ICDF is now inviting the Caribbean nation’s creative minds to submit their design for the digital ID. The Digital ID Card Design Competition is open until May 31, 2024. The first prize for the design is 5,000 East Caribbean dollars (US$1850), according to the St. Kitts Nevis Information Service.
The digital ID project is set to be completed by 2026. In March, the agency announced the completion of the core system for the “Digital Identity Authentication Information System,” including the digital ID card production and digital certificate mechanism.
Estonia
Estonia has awarded the tender for issuing electronic certificates for the country’s electronic identity to Belgium-based Zetes.
The 10-year tender contract will allow Zetes to produce and manage certificates which are stored on the chip of every Estonian eID card. The certificates are used for authentication, encryptions and digital signatures for national ID cards, e-residence cards, EU residence permits and diplomatic identity cards.
Zetes’ work as a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) for the new generation of Estonian eIDs will commence at the end of 2025.
Europe
Europe’s Digital ID regulation has come into force, establishing a legal framework for digital identities that ensures they are recognized and trusted across all EU member states. It aims to enhance security, privacy, and user control over personal data, making it easier for citizens to manage their sensitive PII.
The EU Digital Identity Wallet will enable EU citizens to store and manage various identification documents, such as IDs, driver’s licences, and bank account details, in one digital platform. By 2026, this wallet will enable users to prove their identity and access services online and offline across the EU without needing physical documents.
Global
AU10TIX has launched a free Risk Assessment Model that enables businesses to conduct an initial assessment of their exposure to operational, security and identity fraud risk. Drawing insights from billions of transactions processed globally and years of expertise in risk assessment and mitigation, the model provides personalised insights and actionable recommendations to safeguard against critical fraud vulnerabilities in identity verification processes.
Global
Trinsic has launched what it describes as the world’s first identity acceptance network. By partnering with a number of existing digital ID platforms, the network is designed to enable businesses to verify 60.8 million pre-verified users.
The network leverages reusable identity wallets provided by various identity verification providers, including state-issued mobile driver’s licences, eIDAS-compliant eIDs in Europe, and BankIDs. Notable partners in this network include CLEAR, IDVerse, Yoti, Airside, and Entrust Company, among others.
Mauritius
The Mauritius Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has entrusted the consortium led by Thales, which includes the leading Mauritian-grown IT provider Harel Mallac Technologies (HMT), to develop a comprehensive National ID system to improve citizen services and bolster national security.
As part of the 10-year contract, Thales will provide an Identity Management System to securely issue eID cards and its mobile companion, the Digital ID Wallet.
