Latest news with #DigitalID
Coin Geek
5 days ago
- Business
- Coin Geek
Maldives makes strides in digital ID as Taiwan faces scrutiny
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Legislators in the Maldives are making strides toward enacting a digital ID legislation, with the most recent development being the initiation of a public consultation. Lawmakers are seeking public comments on the draft of the nation's Digital Identity Bill, which is designed to improve residents' identification by establishing the Maldives Digital Identity System (MDIDS). A community reading of the incoming legislation identifies five key objectives, the first of which is the provision of a system that allows residents to identify themselves in both in-person and online transactions. Furthermore, the system will prioritize privacy and data security while maintaining the economic benefits flowing from digital IDs. There are plans by authorities to use MDIDS as the foundation for a digital payment system akin to India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI). The Maldives is also eyeing the possibility of using the digital ID legislation to crack down on illegal migrants flooding the tiny island nation. Ahead of the legislative hurdles, members of the public are urged to submit written comments on the first draft of the bill. The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology (MoHST) will lead the consultation exercise and release all comments to the public. However, the MoHST will recognize requests for confidentiality provided they are justifiable, but a non-confidential version must be attached to the submission. 'The MoHST seeks comments from government stakeholders, the business community, and the general public on the draft Digital Identity Bill,' read the statement. 'All comments should be supported as much as possible by detailed explanations and must identify the sources that the respondent is relying on.' The Maldives is keen on catching up to regional first-movers in digitization and exploring the possibilities of partnerships. Recently, it partnered with Dubai-based MBS Global to build an $8.8 billion blockchain hub in an attempt to diversify its economy from tourism and fishing. The country has also inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Estonia to explore emerging technology use cases for public services. Despite the forward-thinking initiatives, authorities are clamping down hard against illegal operators of digital currency services and other bad actors within their borders. Taiwan's digital ID system under fire Several months following the public launch of Taiwan's national digital ID system, the initiative has attracted significant criticism concerning the security and privacy risks it presents to the public. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Ko Ju-chun is leading the barrage of criticisms against the digital ID system, arguing that residents face grave risks. Dubbed the Natural Person Certificate system, over eight million digital certificates have been issued, but only around four million are in active use. The lawmaker revealed that bad actors are using the porous security system in the digital ID system for criminal purposes. Up to four times as many flagged bank accounts were opened using Natural Person Certificates over other means of identification, said Ju in a statement. Ju based his argument on the latest data from the Taiwanese Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC). He added that scammers are gaining access to innocent residents' personal details and using the digital ID system to open a wave of bank accounts for criminal activities. Commercial banks are striking back, with up to 17 institutions halting the use of digital IDs for identification purposes. Ju hints that more financial institutions are poised to pause the use of the Natural Person Certificate system, defeating the entire purpose of their creation in the first place. The lawmaker launched a tirade against the government over the handling of the security breaches in the digital ID system. He terms the government's approach as 'absurd,' noting that a public advisory urging individuals to set limits on transfers and asking banks to suspend withdrawals on inactive accounts is 'untrustworthy.' Ju extends his criticism to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the National Police Agency, and the Ministry of Interior for failing to take decisive action against bad actors. He recommends new security measures to combat the rising tide of bad actors so the government can gain the waning public trust. 'Government agencies should stop promising lots and delivering little, and instead do their jobs, which is to make Taiwan a haven for digital technology developers, not scammers,' said Ju. Despite the criticisms of its digital ID system, Taiwan is marching on to introduce a wave of digital products for its residents. At the top of the list is a national digital wallet to be launched before the end of 2025 that will hold all citizens' personal information. The country is also rushing to plug the holes in its anti-money laundering (AML) rules, aligning itself with international standards. On the regulatory side of things, Taiwan has unveiled new digital asset rules and an artificial intelligence (AI) draft bill designed to improve economic gains. Watch: Digital identity, digital assets enable Web3 title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
Tom's Guide
22-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
iOS 26 is going to put your passport on your iPhone — everything we know so far about Apple's Digital IDs
When iOS 26 arrives later this fall, it will bring a newfound capability to your iPhone — the ability to tote around a digital ID in the Wallet app based on your U.S. passport. That's a potentially significant addition. When you have to establish who you are, not many official documents carry the weight of a passport, which not only permits travel but establishes your residency, age and identity. The digital ID coming to iOS 26 won't be a complete stand-in for your physical passport, but it will serve a number of key purposes when you're asked to present an ID, either in the real world or with online apps. And it continues Apple's ongoing goal of turning your iPhone into the only device for payments and IDs, letting you keep your wallet in your pocket or even entirely at home. Here's what we know so far about the digital ID features in iOS 26 Wallet, along with some other changes that are part of the updated app that travelers will find relevant. Let's get the description straight from Apple and its iOS 26 preview page: In the Wallet app, you'll be able to "create a digital ID in Wallet using your U.S. passport." You'll then be able to flash that ID stored on your phone in many — though not all — of the places where a physical passport might work. That's where the "not all" part of the description above kicks in. When the Digital ID feature lands on your iPhone later this year, don't expect to be able to use it to hop on a flight to Istanbul or some other international destination. You'll still need a physical passport for that. Because there are more destinations in the world than international ones. According to Apple, the Digital ID card will work at supported TSA checkpoints for domestic travel. It can also be used to provide identity and age verification in other instances, particularly in apps. In that sense, it will work much like the state ID and drivers licenses that iOS already supports, at lest in the nine states and Puerto Rico that offer this feature. Those digital IDs are accepted at some TSA checkpoints and can be used to help verify your identity in apps, such as when you apply for a credit card online and need to prove you are who you say you are. That's difficult to say. The fine print on Apple's explainer page on the ID in Wallet feature lists 14 airports across the U.S. and Puerto Rico where state IDs work at TSA checkpoints. Presumably, the number will grow as digital IDs based on U.S. passports arrive. Again, that's not entirely clear. The feature is arriving this fall, and it's not part of the iOS 26 developer beta that's currently available for download. Presumably, it won't be part of the public beta that arrives in July either. This sounds like something we're going to have to wait until the fall release of iOS 26 to test out. However, if you don't mind some speculation on my part, I imagine it will be a lot like the process for applying for a digital ID with your drivers licenses or state ID card. And because I live in one of the places where that's supported, I can tell you a little bit about what that's like. When I applied for my state ID card, I had to scan both the front and back of my drivers license. I also had to snap a current photo using my iPhone's front camera. But that's not all. In California, at least, my iPhone walked my through taking addition shots — ones where I had to smile, close my eyes and tilt my head upward. My iPhone would vibrate to let me know when each of these extra shots had been collected with the FaceID camera. Then all of those shots and the ID card scans were transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles to make sure everything checked out. I imagine you'll also have to scan pages of your physical passport with your phone and submit similar photos for vetting by the U.S. Department of State. Correct, only U.S. passports can be used to create this Digital ID that's coming with iOS 26. Presumably, Apple would have to work with governments in other countries to offer a similar feature for citizens of the U.K., Australia and elsewhere. Apple introduced this feature in iOS 16, and its slowly grown over the last couple years. Besides Puerto Rico, the nine U.S. states where you can apply for a digital ID via the Wallet app are: Apple says more support from more states is coming. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Digital IDs based on U.S. passports won't be the only travel-related addition to Wallet when iOS 26 arrives. Apple is also promising beefed-up boarding passes from airlines when you add those tickets to Wallet. Boarding passes stored in the app are also going to include links to airport maps, not only helping you mind your way to your assigned gate but also what kind of services are nearby. Find Me support will be built in as well, so that you can track down luggage — presumably so long as you've equipped that luggage with one of Apple's AirTags. My favorite boarding pass addition coming to Wallet is support for Live Activities, which will be shareable. That way, you'll be able to directly share your ETA with anyone waiting for you at your destination directly from the Wallet app. As with the Digital ID, it's difficult to gauge how all this will work in the iOS 26 developer beta, as I imagine it will involve some degree of adoption by airlines. And testing those features is going to require a boarding pass, too. But come this fall, I'm eager to hit the road and see what Wallet has to offer on my next airport trip.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Yahoo
Ready for Takeoff: Your Digital Passport Is Cleared to Fly
Save your passport in Apple Wallet starting this fall. Your iPhone or Apple Watch can display it. It will only be accepted for domestic soon? Now Apple users can take a passport with them digitally. Digital identification is approved at select TSA checkpoints now that REAL ID has been implemented; in response, Apple recently announced that it will offer Digital ID when it rolls out iOS 26 this fall. This new feature will let Apple fans seamlessly create and add a digital ID to Apple Wallet using a U.S. passport. It can only be used for domestic travel; international travelers will still need to present a physical passport. There are also some limitations: The feature will require iPhone 8 or higher, iOS 16.5 or later in most states; California residents will need the iPhone XS or later and iOS 17.5 or later. Puerto Rican users will need iPhone XS and iOS 18.1 or higher. This feature will allow Apple Wallet to compete more effectively with Google Wallet, which recently announced support for both U.S. and U.K. a few limitations, Apple fans will be able to add U.S. passports to the Digital ID section of their Apple Wallets starting Fall 2025 with the release of iOS Master Apple Wallet: Add Boarding Passes for a Seamless Airport Experience Read the original article on Lifewire
Time Out
19-06-2025
- Time Out
Don't have a Real ID? The TSA just made your airport experience easier
Apple just gave frequent flyers—and Real ID procrastinators—something to look forward to this fall: a digital passport option in Apple Wallet. The feature, part of the next iOS update, lets users create a digital ID using their U.S. passport. Even better, the Transportation Security Administration just approved it as a Real ID alternative—but only for certain types of travel. ' Digital ID offers a secure and private new way for users to store and present their ID information using their iPhone and Apple Watch,' Apple said in a recent release. 'Users can seamlessly create and add a Digital ID to Apple Wallet using a U.S. passport.' This is surely something iPhone users will get excited about, but here's the fine print: the new feature is not a full passport replacement. It's only approved for domestic travel and only at TSA checkpoints that support it. You'll still need your physical passport to get through customs, immigration or any international border. But for domestic travel? It's officially Real ID compliant. As Real ID enforcement began in May, many travelers found themselves scrambling, either upgrading their licenses or falling back on passports just to fly from one city to another. Apple's digital ID is now a workaround for those who still haven't made the switch, letting users tap through security instead of rifling through their bulging bags to flash a physical document. The TSA confirmed that digital passports in Apple Wallet will be accepted at supported domestic checkpoints—with 250 airports already on board, including LAX, JFK and O'Hare—but they are clear about one thing: bring your real passport if you're going abroad. Period. Alongside the digital ID, Apple's also polishing up boarding passes and adding new travel tools to Wallet to streamline your airport routine. It's a smart step forward, but it's not a replacement yet, so keep that passport handy, at least until international travel catches up.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Apple's new digital ID can be used at TSA but not for international travel
Apple is adding a new feature this fall that will let iPhone users upload their US passport to Apple Wallet. This feature is meant to help users go through ID checks at airports more easily. But officials say the digital version will not replace the physical passport, especially for international travel, reported New York Post. The new Digital ID will work at TSA checkpoints in the US only. 'While not a replacement for your physical passport, digital ID can be used for domestic travel and at supported TSA checkpoints,' an Apple spokesperson said, according to USA TODAY. Also Read: Apple CarPlay gets its smartest upgrade yet with iOS 26 Apple says the feature will let users safely store and show their ID using their iPhone or Apple Watch. People will be able to make and add a Digital ID using their US passport. The Wallet app is also getting a new design to make using boarding passes and travel features better, as per NYP. The TSA made it clear that the digital passport is only for use inside the US. 'It is important to have the physical US Passport available in case it is needed, and a physical US Passport is still required for international travel,' the agency told SF Gate. This update is coming just weeks after the May 7 Real ID deadline, which confused many travelers. As per NYP, some people tried to break the rules by spreading wrong information, like a rumor that Costco cards could be used as airport ID. The TSA ended that rumor, saying, 'We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a Real ID because it absolutely does not.' So, Apple's new passport feature may help make things easier for travelers, but people still need to carry their real passport, especially for trips outside the country.
