Securing Personal Identity With Digital ID Connected to User Biometrics

As identity theft continues to rise in an increasingly digitally-connected world, government officials worldwide are turning to biometrics and mobile identification cards to combat an expensive and dangerous problem.

Government-supported digital identification, such as digital driver’s licenses, are moving forward in countries like Malaysia and Singapore. Almost every region of the world is working on some kind of plan that will make verifying someone’s identity secure, seamless and reliable.

In Nigeria, the government recently reported that at least 66 million citizens and legal residents have received digital IDs in the form of national identification numbers (NINs) by registering their biometrics with the program.

Meanwhile, organizations like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are also in talks about adopting a government-supported digital ID program, like mobile driver’s licenses.

In the latest Digital Identity Tracker®, done in collaboration with Jumio, PYMNTS examines how and why government-supported digital identities are taking shape globally, and look at what role these tools could play in the future of the digital world.

Download the report: TSA Sees Biometrics, Mobile Driver’s Licenses As Next-Gen Verification Tool for Air Travel

Some 44% of companies surveyed indicated that they were interested in boosting their digital identity tryst reputations, according to PYMNTS December tracker. Almost half of the large enterprises surveyed said that having digital processes for customer verification was more important this year than last.

Identifying passengers for air travel has always been critical, but following the worldwide pandemic, digital measures are being fast-tracked.

“From my viewpoint, the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally shifted how TSA must perform its mission,” Jason Lim, the TSA’s identity management capability manager, told PYMNTS.

See also: Combating the ‘Bad Guys’ Through Sophisticated Digital Identity Verification

“We must continue to enhance [the agency’s] security effectiveness while prioritizing the health and safety of TSA officers and the traveling public,” Lim said. “Our efforts to automate the identity verification process for travelers through the use of mobile driver’s licenses are supporting the agency’s focus on reducing points of contact for travelers and paving the way for a more seamless travel experience while protecting passenger privacy and civil liberties.”