Editorial

Digital Identity: Global Roundup

Digital identity news from around the world.

Posted 24 March 2025 by Christine Horton


EMEA / Taiwan

Fime’s testing laboratories in both EMEA and Taiwan have obtained full accreditation under the FIDO Alliance Identity Verification (IDV) Certification Programme.

The certification allows the company to assess and validate identity verification vendors’ Document Authenticity and Face Verification solutions, contributing to fraud prevention efforts while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Thailand

World has launched in Thailand, with its technology designed to help individuals prove they are human online, and not bots. In partnership with the Thailand International Digital Business & Finance Centre (TIDC), World’s proof of human service will be available at three locations across Bangkok, marking the first phase of its expansion in Thailand.

In 2024 alone, Thailand reportedly recorded more than 168 million scam attempts—more than double the previous year—driven by fraudulent online identities and AI-enhanced deception.

South Korea

New mobile resident registration cards are launching in South Korea, allowing users to store and use digital ID on their smartphones.

Application for the card is available at any local government community centre, alongside the web portal Gov.kr. Users can get their IDs either by touching their smartphones to their resident registration cards embedded with an integrated chip or scanning the QR code at a community centre.

Europe

Inverid’s ReadID biometric verification solution has achieved certification under the ETSI 119 461 standard, which establishes requirements for identity proofing and trust services in the EU. The system uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to extract and verify data from electronic identity documents, supporting remote authentication that meets EU digital identity requirements.

Europe

The EU has revised its timeline for implementing new border control systems. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will commence a phased rollout in October 2025, with complete implementation across EU member states expected by April 2026. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will become mandatory in April 2027, followed by a transitional period extending to October 2027. The systems represent a significant advancement in border security and traveller verification, incorporating biometric technology for enhanced accuracy and efficiency, reports Mobile ID World.

Belgium

The implementation of new digital ID cards is scheduled to begin in November 2026. The digital credentials will hold equal validity to physical cards for identification and authentication purposes, with both formats operating concurrently.

Romania

Mobile ID World also reports that Romania plans to launch its electronic ID card (CEI) program in March 2025, beginning in Cluj County, after the government approved three regulatory decisions on March 13. The initiative also supports the EU’s broader strategy for standardised digital identity systems across member states.

During the initial rollout period from March 2025 to June 2026, the electronic ID cards will be issued free of charge, with funding provided through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The program will expand to include children under 14 starting June 2, allowing them to use the ID as both a travel and administrative document. A simplified version without electronic storage capabilities will become available from May 20.

Greece

Greece is launching a new digital age verification app called ‘Kids Wallet’ within the next month, aimed at protecting minors from online addiction and enabling safer internet usage. The initiative is part of Greece’s broader push for stronger EU-wide legislation on child protection in the digital space.

The app will leverage Greece’s existing digital ID infrastructure through TaxisNet, the national authorisation service, to verify children’s ages using civil registry data. With parental consent, the system will allow third-party applications to confirm a child’s age via API, while giving parents control over which apps their children can access and for how long.

New Zealand

The New Zealand Government said it is making it easier for businesses to verify the identity of their staff and customers by simplifying the process to be approved for the RealMe Identity Verification Service.

Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden said many businesses, including financial service providers and educational institutes, were required to verify the identity of their customers.

“The RealMe service allows people to do this through a simple digital login, rather than providing their passport or driver licence details which must then be manually verified,” said the Minister.

Currently, organisations that want to use RealMe have to be approved by Cabinet in a lengthy sign-off process. This change will allow them to be automatically granted access by the Department of Internal Affairs, as long as they meet the requirements such as compliance with the Privacy Act.

United States

Multiple US states are either implementing or preparing to implement digital driver’s licences and mobile IDs. Currently, ten states have fully implemented digital driver’s licences through Apple Wallet: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, and Puerto Rico.

An additional eight states are in various stages of implementing digital driver’s licences through Apple Wallet: Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah, and West Virginia.

Global

Juniper Research forecasts that revenue from mobile identity application programming interfaces (APIs) will surge to $22 billion by 2029, up from $2.4 billion in 2025. This anticipated growth reflects a broader shift towards more secure and efficient authentication methods, driven by increasing support for network APIs that authenticate users without relying on SMS.

United Kingdom

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on digital ID has been formed, calling for identity providers to input to a public consultation over the recent announcement of the GOV.UK wallet and the certification of One Login against the DIATF.

Their first meeting will take place in Westminster on 2 April and will be chaired by Dr Allison Gardner MP.

A report in Identity Week noted that while the certification of One Login and the introduction of the GOV.UK wallet could potentially centralise digital identity services, it raised concerns about stifling competition and innovation.

“While the draft Data (Use and Access) Bill suggests DIATF-certified providers may store digital driving licences, the government’s current stance remains exploratory. Advocating for clarity and a roadmap for private sector wallets to include such documents could drive broader adoption and innovation.”

Global

Dating app Bumble has unveiled a new biometric ID verification feature as a countermeasure against the rising prevalence of romance scams. While optional, users who complete the verification process can display a badge on their profile, signalling authenticity. The technology, developed by Veriff, is currently available in 11 markets, including the US and UK, with plans for further expansion, according to an article first published by Biometric Update.

To verify their identity, Bumble users are required to upload a government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, and take a selfie for biometric comparison. Additional features include the ability to filter for verified profiles and request verification from matches.

United States

1Kosmos has announced 1Kosmos 1Key for shared account login environments. Shared accounts are commonly used in both IT and OT environments where many users interact with a single workstation or application. Traditional methods for managing shared logins rely on generic passwords or physical keys issued to individuals and that are prone to loss, misuse, or unauthorized access.

1Kosmos 1Key offers a biometric-enabled, passwordless device that can verify fingerprints for multiple users and remains plugged into the protected endpoint at all times. Users enroll their fingerprints once, and can access authorised endpoints and applications anywhere.

Australia

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling for the rapid adoption of digital identity technologies to enhance aviation security and operational efficiency.

Government and industry stakeholders in aviation security participating in the Sydney Leaders Week Conference supported this position, emphasizing the need for collaboration in implementing Verifiable Credentials (VC) and Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs).

Aviation security leaders identified key actions for governments to drive the industry’s digital transformation:

  • Fast-Track Technology Integration: Incorporate VC and DID technologies into national and international security frameworks, aligning with ICAO Annex 17 and Aircraft Operator Security Programs (AOSP).
  • Prioritise Aviation Digital ID Use Cases: Integrate aviation digital identity solutions into national digital strategies to enhance global cooperation.
  • Invest in Capacity Building: Allocate resources to equip industry stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and infrastructure for seamless implementation.​
  • Increase Stakeholder Engagement: Promote awareness and industry-wide adoption of digital identity solutions through targeted education and outreach.

United States

The average corporate user now has 146 stolen records linked to their identity, an average 12x increase from previous estimates, reflecting a surge in holistic identity exposures.

The 2025 SpyCloud Annual Identity Exposure Report indicates that cybercriminals have expanded their tactics beyond conventional account takeover. Attackers now have access to extensive identity data from multiple sources—including data breaches, infostealer malware infections, phishing campaigns, and combolists,

SpyCloud said its collection of recaptured darknet data grew 22 percent in the past year, now encompassing more than 53.3 billion distinct identity records and over 750+ billion total stolen assets that are now circulating in the criminal underground, fuelling identity-based cybercrime. These assets include personal and professional credentials, session cookies, personally identifiable information (PII), financial data, IP addresses, and national IDs.

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