United Kingdom
Digital proof of age for alcohol sales in England and Wales has moved closer to becoming law after both Houses of Parliament approved changes to mandatory licensing conditions.
The draft Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2026 was approved by the House of Commons and House of Lords on 8 September. Once formally made, it will allow licensed venues including bars, restaurants and supermarkets to accept certified digital proof of age alongside physical identification.
Digital proofs will have to come from providers registered under the UK digital verification services trust framework, meaning screenshots or unverified apps will not qualify. The Order is scheduled to take effect the day after it is formally signed and made.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh has revealed implementation details for its planned One-ID digital identity platform, including its proposed budget, issuance strategy and technical architecture.
The World Bank-backed D-STAR programme, managed by the Bangladesh Computer Council, is intended to create a permanent digital identifier through which citizens can access government and financial services. One-ID will integrate with a smartphone-based digital wallet connecting identity with financial transactions, tax platforms and digital payments.
The project also proposes issuing around 200 million polycarbonate chip cards, integrating existing identifiers such as tax and health cards into a single profile. Around Tk 73.80 billion of the Tk 91.93 billion project cost is allocated to card issuance and associated biometric enrolment, migration and distribution.
Germany
Germany is preparing to launch a new digital identity app that will allow citizens and residents to store digital versions of official identity documents on their phones.
The “d-you” app is due to become available from 2 January 2027 and will initially support a digital version of Germany’s national identity card, as well as other credentials including driving licences.
Digital Transformation Minister Karsten Wildberger said potential uses include opening bank accounts, signing employment contracts and proving age online.
The app is expected initially to work with around 40 providers across sectors including banking, telecommunications, energy, local government and education. Its rollout forms part of Germany’s implementation of the European Digital Identity Wallet framework.
Tobago
The Tobago House of Assembly has launched Tobago ID, an online platform intended to give residents digital access to services across its divisions, departments and companies.
More than 1,000 people registered within the first few hours of the platform going live. Residents can use it to apply for services and track the progress of applications, with the baby grant among the services already available through the system.
United Kingdom
A study commissioned by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has called for layered oversight of biometrics, digital identity and other emerging technologies used by security agencies.
The RAND Europe study examined nine areas including biometric systems, digital identity platforms, automated decision support and data management. While identifying potential benefits including greater efficiency, record keeping and traceability, it also highlighted risks around privacy, exclusion, bias, data sovereignty and the concentration of sensitive information.
Researchers recommend risk assessments before systems are adopted, strong data governance, continuous training and a combination of internal controls, independent regulation and external audit. The study also argues that simply keeping a human in the loop is insufficient, because staff may defer too readily to automated outputs.
Indonesia
Indonesia is continuing to expand the use of its electronic identity system as part of efforts to improve access to government services and social assistance.
The country’s e-KTP electronic identity card has been distributed to 170 million residents and connects with official records including family cards and birth certificates. It is used across both government and private-sector transactions.
The World Bank is supporting further development through its ID for Inclusive Service Delivery and Digital Transformation Project, which aims to expand digital identification systems into another 12 provinces.
Europe
A European Citizens’ Initiative opposing mandatory digital identity and age verification for internet access has opened for signatures.
The campaign, called Stop Killing The Internet: No Digital ID & No Age Verification, argues that people should be able to access the internet without being required to provide identification. Organisers have up to a year to secure at least one million signatures across the EU.
If it reaches the required threshold, the initiative will receive a public hearing in the European Parliament and the European Commission will have to formally respond to its demands and explain whether it intends to take action.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia has launched Faydaverse, a new company intended to commercialise the country’s digital public infrastructure expertise and develop partnerships with other countries.
Launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Faydaverse is intended to support international collaboration and knowledge sharing around digital public infrastructure, drawing on Ethiopia’s experience developing the Fayda national digital identity system.
More than 50 million people have now enrolled for Fayda, according to Ethiopia’s National ID Program, which is targeting at least 70 million enrolments by the end of 2026.
United Kingdom
Think Digital Partners runs its yearly Digital Identity for Government conference on September 30th in Westminster. View the agenda, speaker line up and register here.
