United Kingdom
New research has revealed that 70 percent of real estate professionals have witnessed a rise in identity fraud in the past year, as businesses grapple with the growing threat of sophisticated digital deception. Despite the surge, only 14 percent regularly escalate fraud cases to the authorities, raising concerns about accountability and enforcement.
Morfe than half (52 percent) of respondents to the survey of 250 UK-based real estate workers conducted by Credas Technologies reported encountering fraudulent identity documents, with fraud cited as the most pressing concern in ID verification (34 percent), followed by customer experience (24 percent) and operational inefficiency (20 percent).
United Kingdom
The Government Digital Service (GDS) has pledged that personal data gathered by the new GOV.UK One Login system will not be used for “marketing or profiling”.
A new privacy notice for One Login demonstrates what personal data will be collected by the new cross-department sign-in system; how this information will be stored, processed, and shared; what protective measures will be taken; and citizens’ rights in relation to their data and its use.
Public Technology reports that government’s position is that all personal data gathered by the sign-in platform will be kept for no longer than is required.
The privacy guidance outlines that, unless it is actively deleted by the individual in question, users’ information will be stored for five years after an account was last used.
Information on “audit events and activity” will be kept longer than any other kind of data – with a retention policy of seven years.
User feedback will be stored for two years, while call recordings and other contact will be kept for one year – as will “information about the actions” taken during citizens’ use of their One Login account.
Selfie videos used during the verification process, biometric facial, and images taken from driving licences will be retained for 30 days. Data from in-person ID checks at Post Office branches will be stored for 11 days.
The notice adds: “If you choose to delete your GOV.UK One Login, we’ll delete your account and your proven identity information.”
United Kingdom
Additionally, Public Technology reports that A minister the long-standing Government Gateway login platform may be ready to be finally and fully phased out by 2029 – 13 years after a decommissioning process for the technology was first kicked off.
The system – along with almost 200 other discrete online accounts currently used across departments – is in the process of being replaced by the incoming GOV.UK One Login, which is intended to provide a single unified government tool through which citizens can prove their identity and access public services.
United Kingdom
Companies House’s new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) progress report has revealed it has used its new powers to remove thousands of companies involved in ‘illicit activities’ from the register.
In partnership with the Insolvency Service, Companies House identified 30 individual entities that were responsible for incorporating 30,000 – 50,000 companies suspected of “illicit activities”, with 10,000 of these currently being removed from the register.
It also identified more than 100,000 shell companies incorporated over the past 20 years linked to illicit activities, like online gambling fraud, crypto scams, and cybercrime. The Insolvency Service is now investigating several, aiming to shut them down or refer them for dissolution.
Commenting on the move, Meg Ogunsola, global director of entity management solutions at Vistra, on said that with upcoming ECCTA deadlines such as identity verification and failure to prevent fraud, “firms must prioritise identity verification for all directors and persons of significant control, ensuring the process is completed well before the autumn deadline.
“With mandatory ID verification for directors and PSCs on the horizon and the ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence coming into force this September, the message to firms is clear: take notice and take action now.”
Spain
Spain is establishing a cybersecurity and microelectronics centre as part of its digital transformation.
The €19.6 million ($22.4 million) investment by Spain’s Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration will establish the center in Murcia, with involvement from companies with expertise in chips, authentication, encryption, identity and blockchain.
“The council of ministers announced today the launch of Quantix, an ambitious public-private joint venture with a total investment of €40m,” the announcement from the ministry says. “The venture includes OdinS, a spin-off from the University of Murcia, Murcia-based TProtege, and Switzerland-based WISeKey and France-based SEALSQ, both listed on NASDAQ.”
United States
Identity verification firm Jumio has acquired Beam Solutions’ anti-money laundering (AML) platform for an undisclosed sum.
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Based in San Francisco, Beam Solutions provides transaction monitoring and know your customer (KYC) solutions.
Jumio will integrate the Beam AML product into its KYX technology platform. The vendor hopes the deal will strengthen its position in the anti-financial crime sector.
Beam provides AML transaction monitoring, watchlist and sanctions screening, according to Jumio. This will combine with data in its KYX system to build a “complete digital profile” of every client’s customers.
Jumio claims that following the acquisitions completion it will offer “the first end-to-end identity verification and compliance solution.”
United States
Apple is preparing to introduce a new Digital ID feature in its upcoming iOS 26 update that will allow users to store their US passport digitally within Apple Wallet. The rollout is expected in the autumn of 2025, marking the evolution of verifiable and digital credentials we see across a spectrum of digital identity wallets. The feature, for now, will be limited to domestic air travel within the United States.
Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun accepting digital forms of identification at select airport checkpoints under the REAL ID compliance programme. Apple is positioning its Wallet app to more directly compete with Google Wallet, which is now supporting digital passports from both the US and UK.
Users will need to meet specific hardware and software requirements to use the digital passport feature. Most U.S. states will require an iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 16.5 or later.
Whilst international travellers will still need to present a physical passport at border crossings, the new Apple Wallet feature aims to simplify identity verification for domestic flyers and frequent travellers.
Switzerland
Switzerland’s planned national digital identity has received support from a broad parliamentary alliance that includes representatives from almost all the country’s major parties.
The parliamentary alliance supporting the ID scheme includes the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), the Green Party, the Centre, the Social Democratic Party (SP) and the Green Liberal Party (GLP), Blue News reports.
The group says that the eID will be issued and managed solely by the federal government. Internet users will have complete control over their data, while the data will be stored in a decentralized and secure way on their mobile phones according to the principles of self-sovereign identity (SSI).
United Kingdom
The UK has launched a major modernisation of its immigration system by transitioning from physical visa stickers to electronic visas (eVisas) across multiple visa categories. The initiative, which commenced on June 15, 2025, is part of the Home Office’s broader strategy to digitise immigration processes and reduce administrative friction. The digital transformation follows the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for visa-free visitors in 2024, as per Mobile ID World.
The new eVisa system applies to several visa categories, including Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, Global Talent, International Sportsperson, Temporary Worker, Youth Mobility Scheme, and Student visas. These digital records replace traditional physical documents such as biometric residence permits, biometric residence cards, passport endorsements, and visa vignette stickers. The move to digital credentials supports the Home Office’s recent efforts to explore mobile and biometric passport technology through new government contracts.
Under the new system, visa applicants are no longer required to surrender their passports at visa application centers for physical visa placement. The change enables applicants to maintain mobility during the application processing period, though they must remain available for potential interview requests. The system maintains exceptions for stays under 90 days and dependants of main applicants, who will continue to receive traditional vignette stickers in their passports.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s National Identification Authority (NIDA) says it is looking into an infant biometric registration system for children below the age of five with a pilot expected to take place in July.
Edson Guyai, director of ID Management at NIDA said the planned infant biometrics pilot has the support of UNICEF, and is an integral part of the new Universal ID or Jamii Number digital ID project which prioritises registration of citizens from birth.
“This will help solve numerous issues, including access to services and early identity establishment. Upon birth, a child will receive both a birth certificate and a National ID number and document,” Guyai said.
He said because of challenges related to finding the right biometric solution for under-five children, they opted for the interim measure of linking the child’s identity to the mother’s National ID.
Benin
Benin is considering launching a digital wallet as part of its push to make its national digital ID ecosystem more inclusive and serviceable to citizens and residents.
“We have developed most of the essential modules of our digital architecture, but one major component, which is a mobile wallet, is still missing. We want to place in the hands of every citizen a secure mobile tool to enable them store and present credentials and to access public and private services,” said director general of the National Agency for the Identification of Persons (ANIP), Aristide Guy Adjinacou.
“This is our next challenge, and we plan to achieve it by the end of next year. This initiative is a core element of our inclusivity strategy,” he said.
