Global
Digital identity is increasingly becoming an AI governance issue as well as a security one. Identity specialist Daon has achieved ISO/IEC 42001 certification, the international standard for AI management systems, covering governance, risk management, human oversight and transparency across its AI-powered digital identity and fraud prevention services. The certification reflects growing demand for formal AI governance as identity verification platforms become more reliant on machine learning.
Isle of Man
Reusable digital identity provider SQR has partnered with AML/CFT compliance platform Proofdesk to integrate biometric identity verification directly into compliance workflows for regulated firms on the Isle of Man.
The integration allows organisations to initiate and manage certified reusable digital identity checks from within the Proofdesk platform, combining customer due diligence, identity verification and risk assessments in a single workflow. SQR says the partnership will reduce manual administration while helping firms maintain inspection-ready compliance records that meet the expectations of the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority (IOMFSA).
United Kingdom
Companies House has revealed the scale of progress made under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), with almost four million individuals now having verified their identities since the scheme launched in November 2025.
The registrar has also removed 151,000 company addresses from the register since March 2024 to combat identity hijacking, while enforcement action has led to millions of pounds in suspected criminal proceeds being seized.
However, experts have warned that around three million directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) still need to complete mandatory identity verification before the transition period ends later this year.
United Kingdom
Consumers are embracing digital lifestyles faster than digital identity, according to new research from TOTUM.
The survey found that 30 percent of Britons leave home without a wallet every day, yet 61 percent remain concerned about the security of digital IDs. Security breaches, privacy concerns and the storage of personal information ranked as the biggest barriers to wider adoption.
Only around a third of respondents said they always carry physical ID, despite many being asked to prove their age weekly for products ranging from medication and energy drinks to parcel collections.
Estonia
Estonia says it will become the first country to issue digital identities for AI agents.
The proposed “AI ID codes” will allow autonomous AI systems to carry out tasks on behalf of individuals and organisations while ensuring every action can be traced back to an authorised human. Officials say the framework is intended to prevent people from having to grant unrestricted access to AI assistants while ensuring accountability as agentic AI becomes more widespread across public services and businesses.
United Kingdom
The UK government is considering further intervention to stimulate the country’s digital trust services market following industry feedback gathered by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Responses highlighted strong support for expanding the number of Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs), clarifying their relationship with Digital Verification Services (DVS), and addressing the current imbalance whereby EU-qualified providers are recognised in Britain but UK providers lack reciprocal recognition in Europe.
Officials say they will now consider possible public sector use cases and wider policy options.
Pakistan
Pakistan has confirmed plans to phase out traditional machine-readable passports in favour of fully electronic passports.
Officials say the move will improve security, reduce fraud and enable travellers to benefit from automated e-gates at international airports through ICAO-compliant e-passports. While the transition has been approved in principle, no timetable has yet been announced for the withdrawal of existing passports.
Bhutan
Bhutan has joined the international 50-in-5 campaign as it accelerates development of its National Digital Identity system.
The initiative supports countries building secure, privacy-preserving digital public infrastructure and will help Bhutan expand its decentralised Bhutan NDI programme, enabling citizens to access both public and private sector services through trusted digital credentials.
Malaysia
Malaysia is continuing to strengthen MyDigital ID by introducing real-time facial biometric verification during registration.
The additional security layer will compare users against the National Registration Department database and require existing users to complete periodic facial re-verification. Authorities say the upgrades are designed to combat identity theft, online fraud and unauthorised access as digital services become increasingly widespread.
Global
Enterprise identity management remains fragmented despite growing confidence among organisations, according to new research from the FIDO Alliance and HID.
While 94 percent of organisations believe they can revoke physical and digital access within 24 hours when staff leave, more than one-third have experienced failures doing exactly that. The research also found that most organisations now manage multiple identity systems simultaneously, while only 13 percent have fully deployed passkeys despite widespread awareness of passwordless authentication. Public sector organisations recorded the highest rate of identity-related security incidents.
Global
Deepfake identity fraud is accelerating dramatically, according to Shufti’s latest Deepfake Fraud Index.
The company predicts attacks using AI-generated identity documents will increase by 3,900 percent this year, while overall deepfake fraud is expected to grow almost fivefold. Shufti argues that traditional selfie-based biometric checks alone are no longer sufficient and that identity verification providers must adopt more sophisticated multi-layered fraud detection capabilities.
Malta
Malta is seeking a new cloud-based online identity verification platform to underpin its digital government services.
The government has issued a €310,000 tender for a reusable identity verification service that will integrate directly with the country’s central authentication platform. The approach is intended to allow citizens to verify their identity once and reuse that trusted credential across multiple government services as Malta prepares to introduce a national digital wallet.
United Kingdom
The UK government has established an independent advisory group to help shape its national digital ID programme.
The panel brings together senior figures from business, cybersecurity and civil society to provide external scrutiny as ministers develop what they describe as a secure, inclusive and trusted digital identity system. Alongside the advisory group, government will begin formal engagement with both the Digital Verification Services and financial services sectors later this month.
Ghana
Ghanaian startup Vaurse has launched a digital trust platform designed to extend identity verification beyond government-issued credentials.
Its platform combines digital identity profiles, smart business cards, access control and attendance management to help individuals and organisations establish trusted professional relationships. The company believes growing concerns around fake online identities and AI-generated impersonation are creating demand for portable, user-controlled trust credentials.
United Kingdom
Six of the UK’s largest banks are preparing to pilot a voluntary digital verification service that would allow customers to share verified identity information directly from their banking apps.
Led by UK Finance and involving Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide, NatWest and Santander, the initiative aims to reduce fraud while eliminating repeated document checks for activities such as online purchases, age verification, property transactions and account opening. The live pilot is expected to begin in the coming months and will complement, rather than replace, the government’s own digital identity programme.
Europe
Identity security vendor One Identity is becoming an independent company as it looks to capitalise on growing demand for identity governance and privileged access management.
The company will establish its global headquarters in Cork, Ireland, citing Europe’s increasingly important role in identity governance as regulations such as NIS2 and DORA drive demand for stronger identity controls.
Global
Privacy-focused identity platform Incode Technologies has acquired Identiq as part of a $100 million investment programme aimed at advancing privacy-preserving digital identity infrastructure.
The acquisition strengthens Incode’s ability to detect fraud collaboratively without requiring organisations to share customer data, supporting its wider strategy of combining AI-driven identity verification with on-device biometric processing and privacy-enhancing technologies.
Global
Jumio has expanded support for digital identities to more than 60 countries and territories through a new integration with Trinsic.
The move allows organisations to accept an increasingly wide range of government-issued digital credentials while combining them with biometric authentication, liveness detection and fraud intelligence through a single platform. Jumio says demand is accelerating as digital IDs become mainstream across Europe, Latin America and Asia alongside initiatives such as eIDAS 2.0 and mobile driving licences.
