EU agrees provisional legislative framework for European Digital Identity Wallet

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The European Council and representatives of the European Parliament have reached provisional agreement on the legislative framework that will enable the issuance and usage of the EU’s European Digital Identity Wallet that will let EU citizens store their national ID card, driving licence and other digital credentials on their smartphone... More



OECD seeks feedback on digital identity recommendations

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The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a draft recommendation for the implementation and governance of national and cross-border digital identity systems and is inviting comment on the document from government officials, civil society organisations, international bodies and interested citizens and stakeholders... More


EU takes next step towards approving legislative framework for European Digital Identity Wallet

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The European Council has reached agreement on and approved a revised proposal for the legislative framework for the issuance and usage of the EU’s European Digital Identity Wallet that will enable EU citizens to store digital identity credentials including their national ID, driving licence and bank account details on their smartphone... More




NFC World

French government to let citizens scan NFC eID cards to access secure online services

France's CNIE electronic ID card

French citizens will soon be able to verify their identity when accessing a range of secure online services — including opening a bank account, filing a tax return and paying for their health insurance — by scanning their updated Carte Nationale d’Identité Électronique (CNIE) eID card with their NFC-enabled smartphone... More





EU begins rollout of cross-border digital identity project

Cross-border digital identification for EU countries: Major step for a trusted Digital Single Market — European Commission — “As of 29 September, the EU-wide legislation on the electronic identification (eIDAS Regulation) will enter into force enabling cross-border recognition of the electronic ID and allowing citizens and business to share their identity data when necessary. People will be able to use their electronic ID (eID) such as ID cards, driver licenses, bank cards and fill tax returns online, access medical records and online public services across the EU.”


Chinese province uses Alipay QR codes for citizen ID

China to launch e-ID cards for citizens via phone QR codes — Asia Times — “China requires its citizens to produce ID cards for verification when checking in at a hotel, boarding a train or plane or accessing government services. Now with the e-ID card, a user can just tap an Alipay app to show their QR code for similar verification, while leaving their wallet or physical card at home.”


Chinese government teams up with WeChat to offer digital social security cards

China’s social security system turns to WeChat for electronic ID — South China Morning Post — “Government trials in 26 cities will have Tencent’s WeChat replace traditional state-issued social security cards with digital version tied to users’ accounts… The WeChat-based electronic social security cards will enable users to provide their identification, status, payment records and other relevant information to official online inquiries about benefits and insurance coverage.”



Canadian banks, carriers and government back blockchain-based digital IDs

Forget iris scans, Canadians to use blockchain for digital IDs — Bloomberg — “Soon Canadians will be able to verify personal information for everything from driver’s licenses to banking using mobile phones and blockchain… Canada’s six largest lenders, including Toronto-Dominion Bank and Royal Bank of Canada invested C$30m (US$24m) in the project. The country’s three main wireless carriers — owned by Rogers Communications Inc, Telus Corp and BCE Inc — are also involved through their EnStream venture, along with a number of provincial governments.”


EU to enable national eID data to be used to secure third party online services

Ministerial declaration on eGovernment — the Tallinn Declaration — European Commission — “We will in our countries… enable the private sector to make use of national eID schemes and trust services in securing the delivery of their digital services, where beneficial to the citizen… We will in our countries… make it possible for citizens and businesses to digitally manage their personal data held by the public administration.”


Chinese government to embed eIDs in SIM cards

China to introduce eIDs embedded in SIM cards — ECNS — “China is planning to embed personal identity information into SIM cards to better protect citizens’ private information, according to the country’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS)… When making transactions with SIM eIDs, citizens will no longer need to provide personal information, such as their names, address, phone number, and ID number, because online platforms will be able to verify the authenticity and validity of the eID.”



GlobalPlatform simplifies management of privacy-enhanced identity documents

GlobalPlatform simplifies management of privacy-enhanced identity documents — GlobalPlatform — “GlobalPlatform has published its Card Privacy Framework and Privacy-Enhanced ID Configuration. The technology helps governments and identity issuers to enable state of the art privacy and security for smart card based digital identity programs, like e-passports, driving licenses and e-ID documents.”