United Kingdom
The UK Government has announced two new services in the GOV.UK One Login contact centre: a live web chat, where agents can interact directly with users, and a 24/7 chatbot, an automated service to handle initial user queries.
In addition, the Government Digital Service (GDS) said an Intelligent Channel Route ensures customer inquiries are directed to the most appropriate channel and agent based on complexity, urgency and availability. For example, in an instance of suspected fraud, a user will be immediately routed to a live agent. However if someone wanted to raise a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, they would be routed to webform as FOIs need to be written to be responded to.
United Kingdom
Equifax UK has partnered with digital identity provider OneID to integrate Equifax Apply+ to help overcome the challenge of customer identity verification and application abandonment in credit journeys.
Craig Tebbutt, chief strategy and innovation officer at Equifax UK, said: “Application abandonment remains a persistent challenge across the lending industry, but our Apply+ technology provides a streamlined and secure onboarding process that enhances operational efficiency for clients and strengthens consumer trust in the digital ID verification process. Leveraging the power of Open Banking, we’re able to reduce friction in the onboarding process as well as reliance on manual document checks, leading to improved customer experience and boosting financial inclusion.”
Malaysia
More than a million people have registered for Malaysia’s MyDigital ID digital identity system since its launch in November 2023. Sixty percent are members of the public and 40 percent are civil service personnel. The target is 10 million users by year-end.
MyDigital ID has been integrated with various platforms, including the Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS) Mobile, MySejahtera, the MyGov portal and MyJPJ.
Jordan
IrisGuard UK has announced the deployment of its latest iris recognition service in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MODEE) Jordan, Jordan Post, VFS Global, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. It now enables the activation of a government digital ID service (SANAD) for Jordanian expatriates, initially in the USA and Canada, using only the iris. The user’s iris is matched against the National Iris Database at the Jordan National Information Centre to issue the digital ID.
With the service now live in five cities across the USA and Canada, more than 200,000 Jordanians can now unlock access to government services, without the need to travel home to do so. IrisGuard’s Android iris scanner and integrated software provide a one-to-millions authentication in real-time ensuring that the correct person is physically present during the activation process.
Poland
Polish-founded Authologic, a specialist in orchestration and aggregation layer for local KYC & AML methods, has secured $8.2 million (7.6 million euros) in funding. Authologic’s Series A funding round was led by OpenOcean, with additional participation from YCombinator, Peak Capital, and SMOK VC.
The platform enhances traditional KYC methods by integrating digital e-IDs, making identity verification faster and more secure.
Argentina
Buenos Aires has introduced a blockchain-based digital identity system for its 3.6 million citizens, marking a global first in decentralized identity technology backed by a government. The new system, QuarkID, utilizes zero-knowledge (ZK) cryptography via the ZKsync-powered Era layer 2 blockchain, and is integrated into the city’s MiBa digital platform that allows residents to access services and documents. The initiative aims to give citizens more control over their personal data while improving privacy and security.
Now all miBA users received decentralised digital identities (DIDs), enabling them to securely manage and share verified documents, such as birth certificates and tax records. The city claims this represents a significant shift in how personal data is handled.
United Kingdom
UK-based biometric authentication tech provider iProov has entered into a partnership with TrustCloud to optimise how organisations control digital identity management.
By teaming up, iProov and TrustCloud intend to overall improve how organisations handle remote onboarding, account opening, and digital identity management. Merging their capabilities in biometric verification, post-quantum encryption, and secure digital wallets is set to allow the two companies to enable simplified and secure digital experiences for organisations operating in different industries, including financial services and healthcare.
Italy
Italy has launched the pilot of its first digital ID system. The trial programme is part of a larger initiative to digitise key identity documents and services, which will eventually lead to the full implementation of the IT Wallet by 2025.
The initial phase involves 50,000 citizens who can now access digital versions of their driving licences, health cards, and European Disability Cards through the ‘Io’ app of the Ministry of the Interior. The project is seen as a crucial phase in Italy’s broader goal of aligning its identity verification systems with European Union standards for digital identity, particularly those outlined in the eIDAS regulation.
In this preliminary stage, the digital documents available—driving licences, health cards, and disability cards—cannot yet be used for online services or self-service systems. However, they are fully functional for day-to-day life, allowing individuals to present their digital licence or card as they would their physical counterparts.
