United Kingdom
New government guidance explains how businesses can use digital identity checks to comply with the UK’s Money Laundering Regulations.
The guidance, published by HM Treasury and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), clarifies how certified digital verification services can support customer due diligence under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017. Only services certified under the UK’s Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF) and listed on the Digital Verification Services Register are considered suitable for identity verification under Regulation 28.
Officials said that using digital identity checks does not remove a firm’s broader compliance responsibilities, including risk assessment, enhanced due diligence where necessary and record-keeping requirements.
United Kingdom
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme entered full enforcement on 25 February 2026, requiring visitors from 85 visa-exempt nationalities to hold digital travel permission before boarding transport to the country.
At the same time, the Home Office expanded eVisa-only processing for most new visitor visa applicants, effectively ending physical vignette stickers for the majority of immigration routes. Airlines and carriers must now verify travellers’ ETA or eVisa status against Home Office records before allowing boarding.
The ETA system, introduced in October 2023, links travel authorisation to passport data and suitability checks through a digital application process. More than 19.6 million ETAs have already been issued.
Germany
Germany’s Social Democratic Party has proposed requiring the EU Digital Identity Wallet as the mandatory age-verification tool for accessing social media platforms.
The proposal outlines a three-tier approach: banning social media for children under 14, restricting platform features for users aged 14-15 and requiring EUDI Wallet verification for users aged 16 and above. Teenagers aged 14-16 would only be able to access social networks through a parent or guardian’s wallet.
The debate follows a separate CDU resolution supporting a minimum social media age of 14 and calling on the federal government to enforce the limit through technical means.
Global
The global digital identity solutions market is forecast to grow from $42.45 billion in 2024 to $189.92 billion by 2033, according to analysis from DataM Intelligence.
The projected growth reflects increasing cybersecurity threats, rising demand for secure authentication in e-commerce and remote work, and expanding adoption of biometric and blockchain-based verification. Investments in AI-powered fraud detection, zero-trust architectures and regulatory compliance frameworks such as GDPR and eIDAS are also contributing to market expansion.
United States
A Ukrainian national has pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to operating OnlyFake, an online service that generated fabricated digital identification documents.
Prosecutors say the platform allowed users to create realistic images of government-issued documents including driver’s licences, passports and Social Security cards from multiple countries. The service reportedly sold more than 10,000 fake IDs and generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit proceeds.
The case highlights the growing challenge of digital identity fraud, where convincing counterfeit documents can be generated and distributed entirely online.
Switzerland
Switzerland’s national electronic identity system is now expected to launch on 1 December 2026, slightly later than originally planned.
The Federal Council said adjustments have been made to improve security and public acceptance following a narrow referendum approval in September 2025. An earlier attempt to introduce an electronic ID was rejected in 2021 because it would have been issued by private companies rather than the state.
The updated system aims to address earlier concerns around data protection and governance.
United Kingdom
Labour MP James Frith has taken over ministerial responsibilities related to digital identity after Josh Simons resigned from his role.
Simons stepped down despite being cleared by the prime minister’s independent ethics adviser over a controversy related to his previous role at the Labour Together think tank. Frith will now assume Simons’ responsibilities at both DSIT and the Cabinet Office, including oversight of digital identity initiatives.
Global
IDEMIA Public Security and Proof have partnered to develop interoperable verifiable digital credentials combining biometric identity assurance with cryptographic signatures.
The collaboration aims to support reusable digital credentials that can operate across physical, logical and digital environments while maintaining privacy and compliance. The companies say the system could help address use cases such as payments fraud prevention and identity verification for financial institutions.
United Kingdom
LedgID and FrontM have partnered to develop a blockchain-based digital identity platform for maritime professionals.
The system, known as Crew Vault, is intended to give seafarers a portable digital identity containing training records, certifications and sea-time logs. The platform will also support a digital Seaman’s Book designed to provide regulators with tamper-resistant records and improve workforce mobility across the maritime industry.
United Kingdom
Senior government officials are considering building the UK’s digital identity system in-house rather than outsourcing it to a private provider.
Speaking to the Home Affairs Committee, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said the government should explore developing the system internally and integrating it with existing public service platforms. The aim would be to avoid creating a large standalone IT programme while maintaining public trust in how identity data is handled.
Jones also stressed the importance of maintaining collaboration with the private sector and supporting the UK’s digital identity industry.
Singapore
Singapore will phase out the use of National Registration Identity Card numbers as an authentication method by the end of 2026.
The Personal Data Protection Commission said organisations must stop using NRIC numbers as passwords or verification credentials, warning that the practice exposes individuals to unauthorised access and identity theft. Enforcement will begin in January 2027, with companies potentially facing penalties for non-compliance.
Government agencies and sector regulators have already issued guidance directing organisations in telecommunications, finance and healthcare to adopt alternative authentication methods.
United States
The US Army’s 1st Special Forces Command has awarded Clearview AI a new contract for its facial recognition software, extending an existing subscription.
Procurement documents show the contract provides five licences for the platform from March 2026, with options to extend the arrangement through 2030. Officials describe the purchase as a follow-on acquisition, indicating the technology has already been used operationally.
The system enables users to identify individuals by analysing images from online sources, a capability that has drawn ongoing scrutiny from privacy advocates.
St. Lucia
St. Lucia has launched a national digital identity platform called the National Authentication Framework.
The system provides citizens and legal residents with a single digital ID that enables secure access to multiple government services through a unified sign-on process. Users can access the service through the DigiGov portal, with a mobile application planned for release.
Officials describe the platform as a major step in the country’s digital transformation strategy and a way to strengthen trust in digital government services.
United Kingdom
The University of Cambridge has launched a global programme focused on improving regulation and governance of digital identity systems.
The Cambridge Digital Public Infrastructure Regulatory Programme will examine regulatory frameworks, digital finance use cases and e-KYC practices while supporting cross-country policy coordination. The initiative will include research reports, international workshops and a knowledge exchange community for regulators.
The programme aims to help policymakers balance innovation, security and public trust as digital identity becomes a key component of digital public infrastructure.
Somalia
Somalia has introduced a requirement for domestic air travellers to present biometric national identity cards when flying between federal states.
The system, launched at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, is designed to support digital monitoring of internal travel and strengthen national security. The programme is being implemented by the Immigration and Citizenship Agency in collaboration with the National Identification and Registration Authority.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh plans to pilot a national farmer identity programme known as the Krishak Card.
The pilot will issue digital ID cards to 500,000 farmers over a 180-day period, with the goal of eventually registering around 22 million farmers by 2028. The system is intended to ensure agricultural subsidies and support reach legitimate beneficiaries while reducing the role of intermediaries.
Officials say the card will also help farmers access market information, connect with buyers and conduct transactions with government institutions.
