News | ID & Secure Document News

Francis Tuffy

16 June 2025

2 min read

IRS Isn’t Checking ID Proofing Performance

The US Inland Revenue Service (IRS) has not been independently evaluating the digital identity proofing services provided by ID.me, its exclusive vendor for access to sensitive taxpayer services. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that the IRS is relying solely on ID.me’s internal performance assessments, with no external verification or established performance benchmarks.

Digital Identity

Francis Tuffy

8 June 2025

2 min read

TSA Reminds Travellers: Costco Card is Not an ID

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a public reminder that retail membership cards — including those issued by Costco, a US-based warehouse club and wholesale retailer — do not constitute valid identity documents for use at airport security checkpoints.

ID Cards

Francis Tuffy

1 June 2025

3 min read

Korean Company Pioneers Dual Biometric Authentication

A Korean technology startup has developed what is believed to be the world’s first smartphone-based solution capable of simultaneously capturing facial and fingerprint biometrics using the built-in front and rear cameras of a mobile device. The innovation, created by WINNING.I, enables fully contactless multimodal biometric authentication through a single application, removing the need for additional hardware or multi-step user procedures.

Biometrics

Francis Tuffy

27 May 2025

2 min read

New Document Issue – Suriname

In April 2025, the Republic of Suriname officially introduced its new ePassport, designed to meet international security and durability standards for travel documents. The project was delivered in partnership with OSD International, a global provider of secure identity solutions.

New Document Issues

Francis Tuffy

27 May 2025

5 min read

What Happens to My Digital ID When the Power Goes Out?

The recent power blackout across the Iberian Peninsula gave a stark reminder that electricity powers our lives — and particularly our digital lives. Behind the headlines about the increased frequency of energy infrastructure failures lies a critical question for the industry: what happens to our digital identity systems when the power goes out?

Threats

Francis Tuffy

27 May 2025

2 min read

Digital Identity Market Poised for Significant Growth

It won’t come as a surprise to readers of ID & Secure Document News™ that the global digital identity market is entering a phase of accelerated growth, with spending projected to increase from $15.2 billion in 2024 to over $26 billion by 2029, according to Juniper Research.

Digital Identity

Dr Christian Thywissen

27 May 2025

4 min read

Mobile Identity Documents Require Trust

The future of ID cards, passports and driving licences is mobile. But the path to full digitisation still involves overcoming many challenges. At the heart of these challenges is the need to build trust with citizens.

Digital Identity

Francis Tuffy

27 May 2025

4 min read

ODDS 2025 – Programme Highlights

Set in the historic and vibrant city of Warsaw, Poland (15-17 September), the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) 2025 conference continues its mission of showcasing the most advanced research, innovation, and debate in the field of document protection.

Events

Nicola Sudan

27 May 2025

4 min read

An Interview with Dr Joseph Atick, ID4Africa

Following the ID4Africa 2024 AGM in Cape Town, Nicola Sudan from Reconnaissance interviewed Dr Joseph Atick, co-founder and Executive Chair of ID4Africa. The interview, for ID & Secure Document News™, covered a range of topics, including Dr Atick’s pioneering work in biometrics, the origins and growth of ID4Africa, the challenges and progress of digital identity systems across Africa, and the need for depoliticising identity programmes (see IDN November 2024).

Interviews

Francis Tuffy

27 May 2025

3 min read

Making Sure Professionals Are Who They Claim to Be

A recent online article from Maryia Valchanina, Head of Data Processing at Regula, sheds light on one of the lesser-discussed challenges in the field of document authentication: the verification of professional identity documents.

Technical Features

Francis Tuffy

19 May 2025

2 min read

Optical Technologies and the Fight Against ID Counterfeiting

In an article recently published in Securing Industry, Dr Mark Deakes, chair of the new International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA), sets out how optical technologies are spearheading efforts to protect identity documents.

ID Cards

Francis Tuffy

11 May 2025

1 min read

Has Holography Lost Its WOW? We Need Your Input!

Holographic features have long played a vital role in optical document security—grabbing attention, signaling authenticity, and giving visual verification. But as design trends shift and digital solutions take a larger role, it’s time to reassess their impact.

News

Francis Tuffy

5 May 2025

3 min read

REAL ID Launches in US

After nearly two decades of delays, the US is set to enforce the REAL ID Act on 7 May 2025. This legislation, passed in 2005 in response to the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, aims to standardise the issuance of state identification documents to enhance national security. However, its implementation has been fraught with challenges, including logistical hurdles, political resistance, and privacy concerns.

Free ID Cards Free

Francis Tuffy

29 April 2025

4 min read

Editorial: Why Digital Identity Cannot be Dematerialised

During the lockdowns that typified the COVID pandemic, there was a roughly two-year period during which it was only under very special circumstances that a person could leave their house to visit a government office, a bank or cross a border. This accelerated the requirement for validating someone’s identity remotely. Of course, this ‘person-not-present’ form of ID authentication was prevalent and growing before 2020, but the pandemic accelerated its acceptance.

Editorial Free Free

Francis Tuffy

29 April 2025

1 min read

New Document Issue – Peru DNI 3.0

On 15 April, Peru’s National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC) officially introduced the DNI 3.0 electronic national identity card.

ID Cards

Francis Tuffy

29 April 2025

1 min read

Estonia No Longer Recognises Russian Non-Biometric Passports

Estonia has ceased to recognise Russian non- biometric foreign passports, a move that directly impacts the eligibility of Russian citizens seeking entry or visas. As announced by Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 31 March 2025, holders of non- biometric Russian passports are no longer permitted to enter Estonia nor apply for an Estonian Schengen visa.

ID Cards

Francis Tuffy

29 April 2025

3 min read

The Growing Adoption of Vertical Format ID Cards

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) provides globally recognised specifications for machine-readable travel documents (MRTDs), including national identity cards. As digital identity becomes central to secure border control and civil verification systems, the layout and design of ID cards – particularly their orientation – have gained attention.

ID Cards

Francis Tuffy

29 April 2025

5 min read

News in Brief

Biometric authentication traditionally relies on single identifiers like fingerprints or facial scans. However, these can be spoofed or altered by ageing, injury, or illness.

News

Francis Tuffy

29 April 2025

3 min read

HSP Latin America Returns to Rio

The programme has been published for the High Security Printing™ (HSP) Latin America conference, which returns 9-11 June to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – the location for the inaugural event back in 2012.

Events

Francis Tuffy

29 April 2025

3 min read

Europe Speeds Towards Digital Driving Licences

A significant shift is underway for Europe’s motorists, as the European Union advances plans to introduce digital driving licences. These mobile licences, accessible via smartphones, will complement traditional physical licences, offering a more flexible and interoperable identity solution across Europe.

Driving Licences

Latest News

IRS Isn’t Checking ID Proofing Performance

TSA Reminds Travellers: Costco Card is Not an ID

Korean Company Pioneers Dual Biometric Authentication

New Document Issue – Suriname

What Happens to My Digital ID When the Power Goes Out?

Digital Identity Market Poised for Significant Growth

Mobile Identity Documents Require Trust

ODDS 2025 – Programme Highlights

An Interview with Dr Joseph Atick, ID4Africa

Making Sure Professionals Are Who They Claim to Be

Optical Technologies and the Fight Against ID Counterfeiting

Has Holography Lost Its WOW? We Need Your Input!

REAL ID Launches in US

Editorial: Why Digital Identity Cannot be Dematerialised

New Document Issue – Peru DNI 3.0

Estonia No Longer Recognises Russian Non-Biometric Passports

The Growing Adoption of Vertical Format ID Cards

News in Brief

HSP Latin America Returns to Rio

Europe Speeds Towards Digital Driving Licences

Sign Up to ID & Secure Document News Weekly

You're signed up!