China
China is floating a proposal for ‘cyberspace IDs’ for its citizens.
The IDs would serve to “protect citizens’ personal information, regulate the public service for authentication of cyberspace IDs, and accelerate the implementation of the trusted online identity strategy,” according to a notice posted by the State Council – China’s equivalent of a ministerial cabinet.
The ID will take two forms: one as a series of letter and numbers, and the other as an online credential. A government national service platform will be responsible for authenticating and issuing the cyberspace IDs.
The draft comes from the Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). It clarifies that the ID will be voluntary – for now – and eliminate the need for citizens to provide their real-life personal information to internet service providers (ISPs).
Hungary
From September, carrying physical identification documents will no longer be necessary, as Hungary launches its Digital Citizenship Programme, as per Daily News Hungary.
The initiative allows citizens to store all their essential documents in a single mobile app, which also offers various features designed to simplify everyday tasks. Reportedly, individuals will be able to identify themselves to police officers using their mobile phones, eliminating the need to carry an ID card. The app will securely store personal data, allowing users to download and share this information for official use, streamlining administrative processes.
The app will also support digital signatures, creating legally recognised documents accepted across all EU member states. For example, users will be able to request a criminal record certificate with just one click, marking the introduction of Hungary’s first digital document type. Additionally, the app will facilitate scheduling appointments at government offices for popular service types directly from a mobile phone. To participate in the program, citizens must complete a one-time registration at a government office, bringing a photo ID and a smartphone with the Digital Citizenship app already installed.
Nigeria
Legislation that will usher in a new dispensation for legal and digital identity management in Nigeria is being studied in the country’s National Assembly.
In a statement issued July 26, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says it will “strengthen the regulatory function” of the ID management authority and “enhance the efficiency and inclusivity of the identity management system.”
The NIMC repeal and enact bill No. 23, which embodies several proposed amendments designed to improve the effectiveness and inclusivity of the Nigeria ID System, was first read in the country’s Senate on June 5. It seeks to update the NIMC Act of 2007.
“The amendments seek to fortify the foundational framework of the NIMC and its operations by expanding the scope of registrable persons. The benefit to the country is a more comprehensive and inclusive identification system, which enhances national security, facilitates efficient service delivery, and promotes financial inclusion,” said the statement signed by the NIMC’s head of corporate communications, Koyode Adegoke.
“The bill also aims to streamline the sharing of personal data, incorporating robust data protection measures to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ personal data and foster trust among citizens in the handling of their information. It also enhances NIMC’s administrative enforcement power to ensure timely and accurate compliance with ID registration requirements.”
Changes to be introduced include the decriminalisation of the non-use of the National Identification Number (NIN), according to daily newspaper Leadership. The NIMC Act of 2007 provides for penalties for non-compliance with NIN registration processes.
United States
Trust Stamp has revealed new deals with clients in the automotive industry and fintech for digital identity verification and tokenization, respectively, as a growing portfolio of intellectual property supports an expansion of the company’s offerings and target markets.
The NASDAQ-listed company announced it will supply its digital identity fraud detection to Botdoc, a platform that provides digital transfers for auto dealerships across the United States.
Botdoc plans to integrate Trust Stamp’s low-code Orchestration Platform for identity verification and know-your-customer (KYC) to prevent counterfeit or altered driver’s licenses, driving permits and ID cards. Documents will be verified through the Driver License Data Verification (DLDV) System offered by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA).
Trust Stamp has also entered into a Letter of Intent with Texas-based fintech company Qenta for a strategic alliance to serve a global federated network that includes cryptocurrency, banking and other financial services companies. The Letter of Intent is non-binding.
Madagascar
The Prodigy initiative, a digital transformation project in Madagascar, is progressing towards the development of a national digital identity infrastructure. The initiative aims to provide legal identity for all citizens, backed by biometrics, fostering inclusivity and enhancing access to public services.
Launched with a $143 million investment, the Prodigy initiative is spearheaded by the Malagasy government with support from the World Bank. The project’s primary objective is to create a robust digital ID system, addressing issues of low digital literacy and limited access to mobile technology.
Indonesia
Digital identity issuance and authentication can be undertaken in Indonesia using two channels with the view to streamlining how citizens get access to digital services.
The Ministry of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) says these can be done either via the INA Pass app or the Public Service Portal. The integrated system is a collaboration between the Ministry of Homes Affairs and that of Communication and Information.
Per the Minister of PANRB, Abdullah Azwar Anas, the issuance of digital ID is vital for use of the Electronic-Based Government System (SPBE) and it will streamline access to integrated government services.
Global
Leaders in the field of decentralized identifiers (DID) have issued a joint Letter of Intent outlining plans to collaborate on and accelerate standardization of DID methods.
A blog post from the Decentralized Identity Foundation (DIF) says it collaborated on the letter with the Trust Over IP (ToIP) Foundation, W3C Credentials Community Group (W3C CCG), W3C Decentralized Identifier Working Group (W3C DID WG) and “other key organizations.”
The letter recognises “the importance of Decentralized Identifier (DID) method standardization in ensuring interoperability, security and user control in decentralized digital identity systems.” Standardisation is the next step – and with the W3C DID WG in the process of redrafting its charter, says the group, now is the time.
Initial focus should be on “methods that have proven useful to multiple implementers over the past several years.” Thus a proposal to identify and start the process for a few key DID methods, and “subsequently informing standardization and conformance criteria across categories of DID methods.”
Collaboration and broad engagement are listed as main priorities. The group hopes to reach out to the broader DID community to join in working together on a “detailed roadmap.” Collaboration agreements and working groups will focus on promoting standardization in three DID method categories: self-resolvable/single key methods, web-based methods and decentralised methods.
Brunei
The Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) of Brunei Darussalam has unveiled a strategic plan aimed at transforming the nation’s transport and telecommunications landscape by 2025. The plan includes the introduction of a national digital ID and a single sign-on (SSO) platform for public services.
A national digital ID and payment gateway are slated for completion by the end of the year.
The e-Darussalam portal is another cornerstone of Brunei’s digital ecosystem, offering an SSO service for users to access government services. According to the government website, the service will also be adapted to the business sector through integration with the National Business Services platform for digital transactions.
Austria
The Worldcoin Foundation has announced that its World ID-issuing orb has been introduced in Austria, which adds another location in Europe with access to its digital identity verification technology.
As of July 31, residents of Vienna over the age of 18 can verify their World ID at several locations throughout the city, joining a network of over 6.3 million users worldwide.
Azerbaijan
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan has signed into law a series of amendments aimed at refining provisions related to domestic relations, proof of identity, personal information, and data protection. This landmark legislation underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding personal data and improving the legal landscape for domestic matters, aligning with international standards and enhancing citizen trust.
Under this law, all information related to citizens’ identity documentation can be obtained and shared through mygov – a digital government platform developed by IDDA. The provision of data in such a manner will have the same legal force as the presentation of an actual ID card.
Along with the identification card documents, information available through the digital system will include birth, marriage and death certificates, reports ET Edge Insights
