The digital identity revolution: states modernise citizen identification

Avoiding travel and fraud, eliminating bureaucracy, and increasing trust in institutions are common goals of the digital identity plans proliferating around the world. However, these schemes must always uphold citizens’ rights and freedoms. 

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he successful development of digital identity solutions by government agencies not only enhances administrative efficiency but also strengthens security, reduces fraud, and optimises interaction with citizens. In various ways, different countries have been working in recent years on electronic identity documents, digital wallets, and other tools to modernise public life procedures. 

From pioneering Estonia to Spain’s innovative initiative with the electronic DNI and the miDNI app, governments around the world are embracing digital solutions that empower citizens and streamline service delivery. Let’s examine a few cases to understand the implications of these projects. 

Estonia: a pioneer in digital identity 

Estonia is widely recognised for its advanced digital identity infrastructure. The country has successfully integrated its digital identity system into a variety of services, ranging from electronic voting to accessing healthcare services. 

The Baltic nation introduced its digital identity system in 2002, using electronic identity cards that enable citizens to access a wide range of public services online. This system not only facilitates citizen authentication but also allows for digital document signing and participation in electronic elections. The results have been remarkable: public administration has seen a significant reduction in operational costs and an increase in process efficiency. Furthermore, citizen trust in government services has improved, according to official analyses, due to the transparency and security provided by the system. 

In the past two decades, Estonia has continuously refined its digital identity strategy. In 2023, it launched a pilot programme for a decentralised digital identity based on blockchain technology, giving users greater control over their personal data. In May 2024, Estonia introduced a new generation of identity cards with enhanced security features and greater functionality, such as biometric data storage and use as a public transport pass. 

Sweden: the efficiency of BankID 

Sweden has implemented the BankID system, a digital identity solution widely used in both the public and private sectors. 

BankID is used to access government services, complete online transactions, and sign digital documents. The system has been adopted by a large portion of the Swedish population (94% of smartphone users). BankID, first launched in 2003, has proven effective in improving security and administrative efficiency. Citizens enjoy faster and more secure access to services such as healthcare and tax services, while government authorities have seen a reduction in fraud and the costs associated with identity verification. 

Over the years, BankID has been integrated with the Swish payment platform and has expanded to other countries, such as Denmark and Norway. 

Singapore: innovation with SingPass 

Singapore has also heavily invested in a digital identity framework. SingPass was launched in 2003 to provide citizens with a single access point for interacting with various services. The platform allows for tax filing, licence applications, and identity verification for multiple purposes. Developers have continuously updated SingPass to meet new needs. 

• 2015: Introduced multi-factor authentication, now common across many platforms. 

• 2020: Opened to the private sector. 

• 2021: Integrated with the National Digital Identity (NDI) framework, making it even more interoperable and convenient for users. 

• 2022: Launched SingPass Proxy, a new feature that allows users to securely share their digital identities with third parties. 

Spain: the new electronic DNI 

Spain introduced the electronic National Identity Document (DNI) in March 2006. This technological advancement enabled citizens to not only identify themselves physically but also access various electronic services with greater security and efficiency. The electronic DNI, known as DNIe, incorporated a chip that stored the holder’s information and allowed for the digital signing of documents, thus facilitating online administrative and commercial procedures. 

Recently, Spain has continued to progress in the digitalisation of citizen identification with the introduction of the miDNI app. This mobile application, developed by the Directorate General of Police, allows users to manage their DNI more accessibly and conveniently from their mobile devices. The miDNI app offers features such as viewing DNI data, electronically signing documents, and authenticating in both public and private services, all with high standards of security and personal data protection. 

Chile: new electronic identity card project 

Chile’s electronic identity card, set to be launched on 16 December 2024, will mark a milestone in the country’s citizen identification history. This new card, with an integrated chip to store biometric information and security data, will allow Chileans to access online services more securely and conveniently, both from the government and the private sector. 

Its implementation will take place in two stages: an initial pilot phase in December 2024 and a general rollout starting in 2025. While the paper identity card will remain valid, authorities recommend transitioning to the electronic version due to its greater security and functionality benefits. Chile’s electronic identity card represents an important step towards a more secure and efficient digital society, where citizen identity is both protected and easily accessible. 

India: the ambitious Aadhaar plan 

India is responsible for the Aadhaar project, one of the largest and most ambitious digital identity systems in the world, with approximately 1.5 billion active users. 

Aadhaar provides citizens with a unique identification number based on biometric data. This system has been crucial for accessing a variety of government services and benefits, from food subsidies to healthcare services. Aadhaar has enabled a more efficient distribution of these benefits and has significantly reduced fraud. The implementation of Aadhaar has transformed public administration in India, improving financial inclusion by bringing 500 million people into the banking system over 10 years and increasing digital transactions by 70% in just five years. 

The proliferation of affordable mobile phones manufactured in India has resulted in nearly 1 billion people having internet access, which has been essential for the deployment of Aadhaar, as well as a digital payments tool called UPI (Unified Payments Interface). 

Brazil: Digital Identity Register (RG Digital) 

RG Digital is the electronic version of the General Register (RG), which is the main identity document for Brazilian citizens. 

In 2020, Brazil began implementing RG Digital in various states across the country. The initiative was developed by the National Institute of Information Technology (ITI) in collaboration with state public security departments. The states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro were among the first to adopt this technology, establishing mobile applications that allow citizens to carry a digital version of their RG. As of March 2023, it is mandatory in all states. 

Brunei moves towards a digital nation: new plan for 2025 

The Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications of Brunei has launched a strategic plan to transform the country’s transport and telecommunications sectors by 2025. The plan includes the creation of a national digital identity and a Single Sign-On (SSO) platform for public services. The digital identity system and a payment gateway are expected to be completed by the end of this year. 

Additionally, the e-Darussalam portal will be developed to facilitate access to government services and will be integrated with the business sector. The digital transformation will also involve the use of blockchain for verifying digital assets. The goal is to make Brunei a smarter and more sustainable nation. 

Japan: new app for citizen identity verification 

On 1 August 2024, Japan’s Digital Minister, Taro Kono, oversaw the testing of a new app designed to enhance identity verification using the My Number card. This app, set to be launched at the end of August, allows the chip embedded in the card to be read using a smartphone, removing the need for a PIN for authentication. 

This initiative addresses previous issues with forged My Number cards. The app will be available to a wide range of businesses that need to verify identities, in accordance with laws such as the Mobile Phone Fraud Prevention Act and the Criminal Proceeds Act. 

This development addresses past problems with digital certificates linked to the My Number card, including data breaches and registration errors, which led to a government review aimed at resolving these issues and strengthening Japan’s digital identity system. 

Uganda: new digital system for registering foreigners and enhancing national identification 

Rosemary Kisembo, the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) of Uganda, announced that the registration of foreign residents for identity cards will take place with the rollout of a new digital identification system in the coming weeks. 

Kisembo explained during a session with the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) that Uganda has not registered legally residing foreigners for the past six years, despite the Registration of Persons Act 2015 requiring it. This delay has allowed some foreigners to improperly obtain Ugandan biometric ID cards. 

The issue stemmed from NIRA’s system initially not including foreign registration and conflicts with the service provider. However, Kisembo stated that the new system will incorporate functionality to register legal foreign residents. This system, based on the MOSIP platform, is open-source and will be tailored to the country’s needs. 

Keys to successful digital identities in the public sector 

The successful implementation of digital identities in the public sector requires several key considerations: 

• Technological adoption: Selecting secure and appropriate technologies to ensure the system’s effectiveness.  
• Cross-Sector collaboration: Promoting collaboration between governments, technology providers, and citizens to facilitate implementation. 
• Data protection and privacy: Ensuring that digital identity solutions comply with data protection and privacy regulations to gain citizens’ trust.
• Self Sovereign Identity (SSI): Promote the use of self-sovereign identities that give citizens full control over their own data, reducing intermediaries and increasing security and privacy.

The future of digital identity in the public sector promises continuous innovations. Emerging trends include the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, which can further enhance the efficiency of digital identity systems. The aim is to continue transforming public administration, offering closer and more secure services to citizens, and understanding the unique needs of each region. 

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