Other Writing

The Digital Agency of Japan has initiated the My Number App, which serves as a platform for accessing government services and facilitating identity verification.

The application merges the functionalities of the existing Digital Authentication App and the My Number Portal App, allowing individuals to utilize [1] their My Number Card Japan’s personal identification card linked to a unique 12-digit national identification number for the purposes of identity verification, access to administrative...

As part of its Egypt Vision 2030 Initiative, the Egyptian government has announced plans to construct new Smart Cities by the year 2050.

[1] The Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities announced that Egypt has developed Smart Cities, which [2] are recognized as key components of modern urban development in the country. He noted that the Egyptian government has implemented approximately 22 Smart Cities. During his address at the launch of the National Strategy for Smart Cities in...

Authorities in Manchester and Bradford have reported instances of arrests and missing-person cases, amid increasing opposition from civil liberties groups regarding the police's implementation of live facial recognition technology.

Live facial recognition technology is being increasingly implemented across the UK, with police reporting the results of recent operations in Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, including arrests, recoveries of missing persons, and monitoring of compliance....

The Romanian government has announced that its new biometric digital identity system is now accessible from any location within the country.

The announcement follows over a year since the government began issuing [1] the new chip-based digital ID in Cluj County. The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that a decision facilitating [2] the delivery of digital IDs was approved along with two additional measures during a meeting on March 13. According to Cotidianul, authorities have [3] stated...

Court documents outline the use of facial recognition technology in conjunction with undercover operations and intelligence collection.

Released court documents [1] reveal that Homeland Security Investigations utilized [2] Clearview AI's facial recognition technology as part of a larger undercover operation. This operation involved infiltrating activist groups, monitoring encrypted communications, and compiling intelligence files on individuals protesting immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

...

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East is utilizing its eUNRWA digital identity platform as the authentication system for distributing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees with financial assistance from the EU.

UNRWA has announced [1] the receipt of 3 million in new humanitarian aid from the EU to go towards Palestinian refugees from Syria. Those registered with the agency's digital ID verification system will receive monthly cash assistance of...

Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is engaged in discussions with gaming platform Roblox, one potential area of focus is the implementation of Thailand’s National Digital ID system to verify the identities and ages of users.

Roblox, [1] the social gaming platform, has faced ongoing criticism [2] regarding its online safety measures particularly in relation to child sexual exploitation, resulting in multiple lawsuits. Regulators around the world have engaged with Roblox, with ...

New regulations in the European Union will require all newly sold cars and vans to be equipped with infrared cameras that monitor the driver.

The requirement affects tens of millions of vehicles annually and is framed in terms of safety. Known as Advanced Driver Distraction Warning or ADDW, the regulation [1] is part of the European Union's General Safety Regulation, officially designated as 2019/2144. Automakers have been obligated to install this feature in new vehicle models since July...

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is implementing measures to enhance the verification process for the identities of mobile phone lineholders, however this latest move has fuelled privacy fears.

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Facial biometric verification will be required for the activation of new mobile SIM cards in Egypt starting next month. This initiative, implemented by [1] the National Telecom Regulatory Authority or NTRA, aims to reduce unauthorized registrations and enhance the...

France's highest court has struck down a bill that sought to prohibit social media access for individuals under the age of 15.

A court [1] has ruled that the social media digital ID law violates freedom of expression. This decision poses a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who advocated for the legislation and sought to inspire similar initiatives in other countries. However, it is seen as a victory for privacy and free speech. “By prohibiting minors under the age of 15 from...

The Metropolitan Police are reportedly planning to implement live facial recognition technology on one of the busiest shopping streets in London.

Live facial recognition cameras [1] are expected to be deployed on one of the busiest shopping streets in the UK, according to an indication from [2] the Mayor of London. The Metropolitan Police has expressed a desire to broaden the use of this technology throughout the capital, and Mayor Sadiq Khan has suggested that the newly pedestrianised Oxford...

The Nigerian government is integrating millions of student records with the national digital ID system. This initiative aims to enhance planning and increase registration numbers.

Nigeria's Ministry of Education has partnered with the National Identity Management Commission to link [1] the Learner's Identification Number of 80 million students with the National Identification Number registry through the digital Nigeria Education Management Information System. The LIN, a unique 16-digit...

Live facial recognition cameras will be introduced at Tube stations in London starting on Tuesday, however this has been criticised by privacy activists.

Transport for London or TfL has [1] announced that it will implement technology designed to identify individuals on a police watchlist, aiming to assist in apprehending high harm offenders, including those sought for sexual offences, robbery, and knife crime. Siwan Hayward, [2] who is the Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement at...

South Africa has announced its intention to reach full regulatory readiness for its national digital ID initiative and to proceed with the development of the prototype.

The government aims to complete several projects outlined in [1] the MyMzansi digital public infrastructure roadmap, which is currently in the implementation phase. These initiatives are part of broader government reforms [2] associated with Operation Vulindlela, a programme [3] launched in 2020 and was led by Duncan Pieterse....

The UK government's decision to discontinue its digital ID scheme does not impact the digital identity verification processes utilised by mortgage lenders and brokers.

In September 2025, the UK government announced [1] plans for a national digital ID to be stored on individuals' phones. The initial proposal aimed to establish a mandatory method for demonstrating the Right to Work in the UK, while also suggesting it could facilitate access to both government and private-sector services.

However,...

The Human Rights Network has joined the increasing number of advocacy organisations in opposing the Home Office's plans to implement facial age estimation for determining the age of asylum seeking children which is fueling fears of digital surveillance and biometric data collection.

The [1] charity Human Rights Network has assisted hundreds of minors who the state has incorrectly classified as adults. In April, the Human Rights Network revealed that the Home Office often detains individuals...

A 2026 report analyses how European Union funding and the export of high-risk artificial intelligence systems has contributed to increasing human rights violations in Palestine and the surrounding region.

The Arab Centre for the Advancement of Social Media has published [1] a report titled How EU Funding and Exports of High-risk AI Systems Exacerbate Severe Human Rights Violations in Palestine and the Broader Region. This report offers a detailed examination of the ways in which European...

South Sudan authorities have announced their efforts to develop plans aimed at digitising the country's civil registration and national ID systems, integrating both systems and issuing legal identities which is supported by the United Nations and the World Bank.

The digitisation and integration of civil registration with national ID systems is a government initiative designed to enable real-time birth registration and support the nation’s digital transformation efforts. This initiative aligns...

France reached a consensus that the trade-off of online anonymity was an acceptable sacrifice in pursuit of a headline focused on child protection.

French MPs reached a consensus on a measure prohibiting children under 15 from accessing social media. The legislation establishes a legal obligation for all adults in France to verify their identities prior to posting on these platforms. This decision marks [1] the first instance of an EU country prohibiting children from accessing apps. Following...

Digital verification services and the centralised portal GOV.UK are expected to form the backbone of the UK government’s future identity strategy, despite skepticism and mounting concerns over privacy and security.

Andy Burnham, [1] the UK Prime Minister, has announced [2] the cancellation of the national digital ID initiative established by his predecessor, Keir Starmer. A spokesperson for Burnham indicated that this decision aims to enable the government to redirect time and resources toward...