Africa
Smart Africa has partnered with Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd. to pilot the Smart Africa Data Exchange (SADX), a platform designed to enable secure, scalable cross-border data exchange and digital identity verification across the continent.
The agreement was formalised during the Transform Africa Summit 2025 in Conakry, Guinea. The pilot will be rolled out in Benin, Ghana and Rwanda under the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA), which aims to improve interoperability between national digital ID and data systems.
SADX is positioned as digital public infrastructure built on open standards, supporting trusted data flows and mutual recognition of digital identities. Initial use cases include identity registration to enable citizens to access services such as banking, healthcare and e-commerce across borders, contributing to the goal of a Single Digital Market in Africa by 2030.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is advancing its Digital Credential Wallet, a mobile application designed to store and manage multiple government-issued and institutional digital credentials.
The wallet functions as a credential container rather than a single digital ID or payment tool. It can hold items such as citizen digital certificates, health insurance cards, driving licences, student IDs and professional licences. Biometric authentication, including fingerprint and facial recognition, ensures credentials are accessed only by their rightful owners.
The Ministry says the wallet uses a decentralised architecture that allows selective disclosure of information, enabling scenarios such as age or eligibility verification without revealing full personal data. Testing and phased rollout are underway across public and private sectors.
Hong Kong
Cybersecurity experts are urging Mandatory Provident Fund members to register promptly on Hong Kong’s new eMPF platform and verify their identities using the iAM Smart digital ID app.
The warnings follow the arrest of five suspects accused of opening fraudulent eMPF accounts using forged identity information and stealing HK$1.8 million from pension savings. Investigators allege that electronic KYC checks were bypassed using high-quality counterfeit IDs.
Experts have questioned why iAM Smart was not mandated as the default identity verification method at launch and are advising members to register early using the official digital ID to reduce the risk of account takeover.
Switzerland
Identis Group has made a strategic investment in Credence ID, expanding its capabilities in mobile identity, biometrics and standards-based digital ID solutions.
The investment is intended to complete Identis’ end-to-end identity proposition, embedding digital capabilities across the full lifecycle from onboarding and verification to credential issuance and management. The combined portfolio supports both remote and in-person identity verification with consistent security and user experience.
Identis says the move strengthens its global footprint and positions the group to better serve high-growth markets.
United Kingdom
The UK Home Office has launched the Deepfake Detection Challenge 2026, aimed at addressing the growing threat posed by synthetic media used in fraud, disinformation and crime.
The initiative will bring together experts from government, academia and industry through benchmarking tests and a scenario-based live hack event scheduled for January 2026. Organisers say the challenge is designed to accelerate collaboration and share effective detection techniques.
The programme builds on a 2024 challenge that highlighted the importance of curated, real-world datasets and cross-sector data sharing to improve deepfake detection outcomes.
Indonesia
Indonesia has announced plans to increase investment in digital public infrastructure, with digital ID and artificial intelligence positioned as foundational elements.
The country’s digital ID system, Identitas Kependudukan Digital (IKD), has been issued to around 17 million citizens so far, well below national targets. Officials say efforts will intensify in 2026, focusing on stronger security, simpler verification and broader service integration.
Pilot projects are already underway, including digital registration for social assistance programmes. Early results indicate reduced costs and improved targeting accuracy, supporting plans for wider rollout.
Global
Nexa Cards is in talks to acquire OX Agency, a company specialising in AI-powered identity verification and risk assessment technologies.
The potential acquisition would allow Nexa Cards to bring facial recognition and AI-driven identity capabilities in-house, strengthening onboarding, transaction monitoring and fraud prevention while reducing reliance on third-party vendors.
If completed, the deal is expected to improve operational efficiency and reinforce the company’s position in regulated and enterprise-focused markets.
Ireland
Ireland’s Tánaiste has said the government will lead efforts to introduce ID-verified social media accounts and is considering proposals to restrict children’s access to social platforms.
The plans could be advanced during Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union next year and are expected to generate debate with major technology companies and international partners.
Supporters argue the measures would help curb anonymous abuse and automated bot activity, while opponents warn of potential impacts on privacy and free expression.
Nigeria
Niger’s Council of Ministers has approved a decree introducing compulsory biometric national identity cards and electronic passports under the Alliance of Sahel States.
The new credentials will be mandatory for citizens aged 15 and above and are intended to modernise identification systems while strengthening cooperation with Mali and Burkina Faso.
Global
The OpenID Foundation has confirmed that conformance testing will be introduced in February 2026 for three core digital identity specifications.
The programme will allow organisations to self-certify implementations of digital wallets, credential issuers and verification systems. Successful submissions will be published openly to improve transparency and demonstrate compliance.
The specifications are already used across more than 38 jurisdictions worldwide, supporting national and regional digital identity programmes.
United Kingdom
Public support for introducing digital IDs in the UK has fallen sharply, according to recent polling.
Survey results show backing for a national digital ID system has dropped significantly over the past six months, with opposition increasing and more respondents expressing strong resistance. The findings follow reports that ministers have discussed issuing digital IDs to children alongside health records.
Critics argue any digital ID scheme should be voluntary and consent-based, amid growing concerns about compulsion and privacy.
Brunei
Brunei has launched Brunei Identiti Digital, a national digital identity system designed to provide secure access to government online services.
The system enables citizens and residents to authenticate using a single login supported by biometric verification performed locally on the user’s device. Personal data is protected in line with government security and data protection requirements.
Additional government services will be integrated in phases as part of Brunei’s broader digital transformation strategy.
United States
Apple has introduced Digital ID, a new feature that allows users to create a digital identification credential in Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. passport.
The feature is being rolled out in beta and will be accepted at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at more than 250 airports for domestic travel. Apple says the Digital ID does not replace a physical passport and cannot be used for international travel.
Jordan
Jordan has released a major update to its Sanad government services app, adding new digital identity and transaction capabilities.
Users can now activate their digital ID directly within the app without visiting physical service centres. The update also enables end-to-end completion of government services, including applications and payments, within a single interface.
Support for modern payment methods has been added alongside digital versions of official documents designed to closely mirror physical credentials for greater trust and recognition.
