Other Writing

Several commercial banks in Ethiopia have received biometric enrolment kits to assist with the National ID Programme as part of the initiative to expand the Fayda digital ID.

The Ethiopian Bankers Association or EBA has distributed 2,000 kits to 31 banks during a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, [1] according to a report by Addis Fortune. A total of 6,000 biometric kits are set to be distributed, with an additional 4,000 currently in the procurement process...

US passports will be accessible on iPhones and Apple Watches as Apple introduces support for digital IDs within Apple Wallet, however this has also fuelled privacy fears.

Digital IDs will be permissible [1] at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights at 250 airports in the United States for identity verification. More checkpoints and applications for digital ID are anticipated in the future, however these digital IDs will not replace physical passports for international travel. Apple also claims...

A recent report from the House Select Committee indicates that China is swiftly increasing its implementation of facial recognition, biometric surveillance, and predictive policing technologies. This expansion is viewed as part of a growing effort to suppress domestic dissent and promote authoritarian practices outside its borders.

A report [1] titled The CCPs Escalating Assault On Democracy and Human Rights released by Raja Krishnamoorthi [2] US Representative of Illinois highlights the...

An Oxfordshire council has decided to officially oppose the UK government’s proposal for mandatory digital ID.

The South Oxfordshire District Council has approved a motion from [1] the Liberal Democrats to formally [2] oppose the UK government's digital ID plans. The motion contends that the initiative is an expensive measure that could undermine public trust, fails to address the real issues confronting residents in South Oxfordshire, and does not uphold the fundamental British values of...

Rangers supporters voiced their opposition to the UK government's contentious digital ID policy through a banner display at Ibrox, meanwhile the scheme continues to get pushback from MSPs in Holyrood.

The Union Bears displayed [1] their opposition to the identification scheme during the Europa League football match between Rangers and Roma on Thursday night. This protest occurred in the first half of the match at Ibrox. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the rollout of the identification...

Senator Ed Markey, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, is calling on Amazon to reconsider its plans to incorporate facial recognition technology into its Ring doorbells.

In a letter to [1] Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy, Ed Markey the [2] US Senator of Massachusetts expressed concerns that the company's newly introduced “Familiar Faces” feature [3] poses significant risks related to mass surveillance in American neighborhoods. Markey characterized the...

Conservative Member of Parliament Stuart Anderson has voiced his opposition to the UK government’s digital ID plans, meanwhile the proposed legislation continues to be encountering increasing scrutiny from experts and bloggers.

Stuart Anderson, [1] a Member of Parliament for South Shropshire, has urged the UK government [2] to abandon its proposed digital ID scheme, expressing concerns that it could lead to an “authoritarian government.” Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate, Anderson...

Mexico's biometric CURP has been established as the official personal biometric identification in the country, although concerns regarding data privacy and security persist among rights advocates.

The national ID was officially implemented on October 16, and both public and private sector institutions are required to recognize it as the official form of identification for accessing services. Individuals in Mexico who took part in a pilot programme have begun receiving their IDs, [1] according...

Councillors in Warrington have expressed their support for a motion opposing government proposals that would mandate the use of a digital ID for employment purposes.

Stuart Mann, [1] an independent councillor, has proposed a motion opposing [2] compulsory identification for work and advocating for voluntary alternatives during the full council meeting at Parr Hall. “My motion this evening is not about rejecting technology it is about defending choice, privacy and proportionality. It asks a...

Greater Manchester Police has initiated the use of Live Facial Recognition technology, employing two vans provided by the Home Office to identify individuals on watchlists in crowded areas and during significant public events.

The Greater Manchester Police or GMP [1] announced that new technology will be utilized to combat crime, locate wanted individuals, and protect vulnerable populations. The live facial recognition or LFR vans are scheduled for [2] their inaugural deployment in Sale town...

Hong Kong is set to significantly expand its public surveillance network, with plans to install around 60,000 CCTV cameras by 2028.

The number of surveillance cameras is set to rise significantly, from fewer than 4,000 currently operational under [1] the police-led SmartView programme. Legislative [2] filings indicate that the rollout will occur in phases over three years, concentrating on areas with higher foot traffic and crime rates. Police officials informed lawmakers that the enhanced...

The Albanian government plans to establish itself as a leader in digital innovation with the announcement of a national digital ID system expected to launch by early 2026, meanwhile the Prime Minister plans to have a cashless society by 2030.

Edi Rama, [1] the Albanian Prime Minister and member of the World Economic Forum highlighted the upcoming launch of the nation's digital ID system as a key element in its digital transformation during an event. He stated that the implementation of this...

New Zealand is advancing its digital transformation in the public sector through a reorganization of digital investment and procurement processes. The government has also committed to introducing mobile driver licenses by the end of 2025.

The minister responsible [1] for digital transformation expressed a strong interest in introducing a comprehensive application designed for digital identification. Judith Collins who [2] is the Minister for Digitizing Government and the Public Service said, “...

Australia is advancing with the establishment of a national facial recognition network that will connect the identity documents of millions of citizens, amid persistent concerns regarding privacy protections.

The National Driver Licence Facial Recognition Solution or NDLFRS [1] aims to integrate biometric information from driver's licenses and passports, enabling both government agencies and private companies to authenticate individual identities. Although the initiative was proposed eight...

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central London on Saturday afternoon to express their opposition to proposed digital ID plans.

Thousands of protesters filled [1] the streets of central London to express their opposition to the government's proposed implementation of digital ID cards. Under strict police oversight, demonstrators chanted slogans and carried banners during their march from Marble Arch to Whitehall. In September, Sir Keir Starmer revealed [2] plans for a mandatory digital...

A Green Party MP has initiated an effort to halt the Labour government's proposals for their digital ID scheme, attracting support from multiple political parties.

Sian Berry, [1] the Green Party MP for Brighton, has submitted an early day motion in the House of Commons that “strongly condemns” the plans put forth by Keir Starmer in September. Starmer had [2] previously announced that digital IDs will be mandatory for proving the right to work; however, individuals will not be required to...

The Davao City Police Office in the Philippines has expressed its backing for a proposed ordinance aimed at integrating facial recognition technology into the city’s surveillance and emergency-response systems.

[1] Acting Director Col. Mannan C. Muarip held discussions with city officials to fine-tune a proposed ordinance that [2] would integrate facial-recognition technology with the Davao City 911 Command Centre via a GPS-enabled and geospatially integrated platform. The measure seeks to...

Plans to expand the role of the state may require children as young as 13 to obtain digital ID cards, raising concerns among critics.

The UK government is advocating for the extension of digital IDs to children as young as 13, [1] according to reports from the Daily Mail. The topic of digital IDs has gained significant attention in public discussions since Keir Starmer revealed proposals for their implementation at the end of September. The announcement of a proposed digital ID system in the...

UK authorities would utilize facial recognition technology as part of a new proposal aimed at enhancing migration control. Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch has outlined plans to implement facial recognition for the identification of immigrants targeted for deportation despite civil liberty concerns.

Kemi Badenoch [1] the Shadow Opposition leader and leader of Conservative Party intends to implement facial recognition technology to identify immigrants for deportation. According to Sky...

The use of live facial recognition systems in the UK is rising, even as concerns persist regarding the lack of adequate safeguards for the technology.

The Telegraph reports that [1] approximately 51,000 faces were scanned in one day by LFR technology at London Underground stations in August. The Metropolitan Police have been increasing the implementation of LFR in these stations as part of their strategy to reduce crime. On August 13, the UK Home Office [2] revealed plans to deploy additional...