United Kingdom
New research from Vistra has revealed that only 28 percent of UK directors are ready for the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), despite the risk of unlimited fines.
The ECCTA is the UK’s most significant Companies House reform since 1844. By autumn 2025, all directors, persons of significant control (PSCs), and company filers must verify their identity. Yet only 250,000 of an estimated seven million, or under four percent, have done so.
Vistra surveyed 100 UK company directors to gauge their readiness for the ECCTA requirements. Just 21 percent say they are already compliant with the ECCTA’s identity verification obligation, but official Companies House numbers show that less than three percent have completed this step, potentially highlighting a lack of understanding of requirements. Worryingly, 83 percent of small firms don’t have a process in place for identity verification despite the upcoming autumn deadline. Less than half (43 percent) are very confident in knowing who their PSCs are.
Europe
The European Commission has released the first version of an EU white-label age-verification blueprint.
The release of the blueprint launches a pilot phase during which a software solution for age verification will be tested and further customised in collaboration with Member States, online platforms and end-users. Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and Spain will be the first to take up the technical solution in view of taking it up in their national digital wallets or publishing a customised national age verification app on the app stores. Market players can also take up the software solution and further develop it.
In parallel, there will be thorough testing with online platforms, including adult content providers. Online platforms that are not involved yet are invited to participate in the pilot and join the testing phase.
Global
NCC Group has partnered with Okta to provide customer identity and access management (CIAM).
The partnership sees the firms offer end-to-end IAM services that they say “enhance security and reduce risk through threat intelligence insights, continuous proactive monitoring and protection, and adherence with compliance and regulation.”
Global
Real-time identity intelligence company Heka has secured $14m in Series A funding.
The investment round was led by Windare Ventures, with participation from Barclays, Cornèr Banca, and a group of other institutional investors.
Heka develops AI-powered tools that analyse publicly available online data to generate real-time digital profiles of individuals. These profiles help financial institutions detect alias usage, behavioural anomalies, and reputational risk.
With the fresh capital, Heka plans to accelerate its expansion across the US, while also deepening its presence in the UK and Europe. The funds will also support the ongoing development of its analyst-grade AI engine.
Australia
Australia’s digital ID system is again facing an audit from government watchdogs.
InnovationAus reports that the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO)’s plans for 2025-26 may include a review of the digital ID scheme, which would cover the Trusted Digital Identity Framework, the Identity Exchanges delivered by Services Australia, myGovID (the Commonwealth’s Identity Provider, delivered by the Australian Taxation Office), the Attorney General’s Department, the Department of Finance and other services connected to the system.
The potential audit would look at “the progress of selected components of this program, including the effectiveness of the implementation, design and functionality, roles and responsibilities and allocation and expenditure of funding, including contract management.”
The ANAO’s proposed audit follows the passage, early last year, of legislation expanding the digital identity scheme to the whole economy. The country’s Digital ID Bill is currently awaiting passage through the House after receiving Senate amendments.
Scotland
Scotland’s digital identity service, ScotAccount, has launched its public beta, allowing a larger group of users to test the government service.
The service allows users to prove their identity and access public services and benefits. Users can verify their identity in the app by using a photo ID. People without a photographic ID can instead answer security questions, while the platform is also exploring vouching as a verification method.
“During the early stages of beta, we worked closely with a small group of service providers to test functionality, identify issues, and gather targeted feedback,” said an announcement by ScotAccount. “We have also, to date, had over 1,000 people take part in user research, helping us shape a service that works for a wide range of needs.”
ScotAccount announced last year it was examining interoperability with GOV.UK One Login, which would allow access for users of both Scottish and UK public services.
United Kingdom
The UK government is introducing a set of measures to boost participation in elections, including reducing the voting age to 16 and expanding the number of documents that can be used for Voter ID, including digital ones.
UK-issued bank cards are expected to become an accepted form of ID at polling stations alongside digital versions of the Veteran Card and UK driving licence (mDL), which are expected to roll out this year. The government is also planning to create a new digital Voter Authority Certificate (VAC), a digital version of a photo ID issued by local councils to those without any other form of ID.
According to findings from the Electoral Commission, among people who didn’t vote, four percent said they did not vote at the 2024 General Election because of a lack of voter ID.
Nigeria
Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has registered more than 122 million citizens in its National Identity Database as of July 2025, marking a 49 percent increase from the 72.7 million enrollments recorded in January 2022.
Mexico
Mexico has officially introduced a digital identification system by signing a law that turned the previously optional biometric-based citizen code into a mandatory document for all citizens.
Last month, legislators approved amendments to a law related to the 18-character personal identifier, known as Unique Population Registry Code (Clave Única de Registro de Población – CURP), with the change formalised on Wednesday through a decree.
The mandatory CURP will contain personal and biometric information, including a photograph and a QR code containing biometric fingerprint and iris data. The identifier is expected to be introduced gradually to all Mexicans by February 2026.
The government has also allowed the consolidation of the citizen codes into a single identity platform that will be connected to other state databases and administrative records. According to the decree, the Ministry of the Interior and the Digital Transformation Agency must create a Unified Identity Platform within 90 days, while public and private institutions will be required to update their system to recognise the identifier, reports Biometric Update.
Laos
Government agencies in Laos have received the order to begin integrating the country’s chip-enabled identity cards and citizen databases.
Ministries, local authorities and state agencies will have to integrate the digital ID system to streamline public services and improve efficiency and coordination, according to an order from Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
The agency developing and managing the national citizen database is the Ministry of Public Security, while other ministries will need to ensure that their data systems are ready for secure integration and data exchange. The digital ID is managed by the Digital Government Center under the Ministry of Technology and Communications of Laos.
