The 2024 High Security Printing™ (HSP) Latin America conference took place for the second time in its 12-year history in Chile, a country renowned for its contrasting landscapes, ranging from the world’s driest desert to ancient, unexplored glaciers.

The Directorate of Bulgarian Identity Documents has announced the introduction of a new model of ID card, which will contain biometric data of two fingerprints and facial biometric data, in addition to the physical image.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Veridos has been at the forefront of providing innovative passport systems and digital identity solutions, adapting to the ever-evolving digital landscape while addressing the growing need for security and reliability. Join ID & Secure Document News™ as we explore the milestones, challenges, and future aspirations of Veridos in this conversation with its CEO, Marc-Julian Siewert.

The new Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has definitively ruled out the introduction of digital ID cards in the UK, following a call from former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair for such documents to aid in migration control.

Reconnaissance International – the leading global source of business intelligence on currency, identity, authentication, tax stamps, and traceability – has unveiled a new industry reference glossary.

The Dutch National Office for Identity Data (RvIG) unveiled the next generation of Dutch passports and national ID cards at the recent Identity Week conference in Amsterdam. The documents feature the LASINK™ Helios security enhancement from IDEMIA Smart Identity (ISI). The updated documents are scheduled for circulation in Q3 and Q4 2024, with an expected production rate of approximately 4 million documents annually.

The issue of fake degree certification has long troubled Pakistan’s educational landscape, posing significant challenges to the integrity of academic qualifications and the credibility of educational institutions. The prevalence of counterfeit degrees not only undermines trust in the education system but also compromises the standing of individuals holding such qualifications.

Since physical documents such as national passports remain the root of trust for establishing identities, the necessity to stay well ahead of counterfeiters is paramount. Advanced diffractive optically variable image devices (DOVIDs) have emerged as a crucial component in securing identity documents against counterfeiting and manipulation.

Covestro’s Specialty Films division, a leading player in materials for passports and ID cards, has received the Blue Shield Market Development Award at the annual Security Document Summit (SDS) in China – recognising the division’s commitment to enhancing the security of citizen identification documents.

The European Union (EU) and Serbia have signed an agreement to enhance operational cooperation in border management with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, known as Frontex.

Previously, in ID & Secure Document News™, I have written about the demise of the paper visa in favour of electronic versions that offer greater convenience and functionality over their physical counterparts (see IDN March 2024). In this editorial I will look at another application where digital is rapidly replacing physical.

Switzerland’s National Council has decisively approved the Federal Council’s new proposal for the introduction of electronic proof of identity (eID). This development marks a significant technological step forward, following the rejection of an initial proposal three years ago. The new eID is projected to be introduced in 2026.

The recent election in Congo has been marred by significant issues related to poor-quality voter ID cards, casting a shadow over the democratic process.

The prestigious Regional Banknote and ID Document of the Year Awards form part of the industry’s High Security Printing™ (HSP) Latin America conference. This year’s event was held in Santiago, Chile, with the awards presented at a special ceremony during the conference dinner on 4 June, at the Viña Santa Carolina winery.

In an EU-funded research project, a broad consortium of developers and researchers has laid the foundations for the smart border management of the future. Combining the highest security standards with convenient travel, the D4FLY project, led by Veridos, focuses on new solutions for identity and document verification, including AI and biometrics.

In May 2024, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ID4Africa, the premier global gathering for the Identity for Development (ID4D) movement, celebrated its 10th anniversary in Cape Town, South Africa.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has issued a call to governments worldwide to join the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN). This initiative aims to prevent problems surrounding travel restrictions in the event of future health crises.

On 20 May 2024, the Digital Identity Regulation came into force, marking a significant step in the evolution of digital identity management across the European Union.

In the final episode of this three-part series (see IDN April and May 2024), we complete our criss-cross journey through the gallery of Latin American travel documents. Alphabetically, we had got as far as the passport of Panama. Our travels recommence this month with Paraguay, concluding in Venezuela.

Automated and biometric solutions can make travel safe, easy, and hassle- free. But there are still challenges to overcome – and not just technical ones.

The evolution of smartphone display technology has significantly advanced biometric authentication, particularly in fingerprint recognition. Modern smartphones, such as the recently released Vivo X100s, are at the forefront of this innovation, featuring sophisticated under-display fingerprint sensors that enhance both security and user convenience.

In years to come, the ID and secure document research community will look back at the year 2024 with a hint of nostalgia as it fondly remembers the days of human- engineered counterfeits prior to the age of artificial intelligence (AI) enabled security attacks. The keynote address at the recent ODDS conference in Lisbon explained what we can look forward to.

I don’t know if you remember, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, several conspiracy theories circulated regarding Bill Gates and his involvement with digital identity. One theory claimed that Gates was pushing for widespread vaccination in order to implement a digital identification system tied to vaccination records.

The Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference series has established itself as the only technical conference for advances in the crossover between physical, digital, and virtual document security. ODDS has been the launchpad for numerous new techniques that go on to achieve commercial success in the ID and secure document industry.

In the first of this three-part series (see IDN April 2024), we delved into the rich tapestry of cultures, landscapes, and identities that make up Latin America (LatAm), and how they are distilled into the travel document of each country. Last month we got as far as the passport of El Salvador. We pick up the story, this month, in Guatemala.

Registration is now closed for this year’s High Security Printing™ (HSP) Latin America conference, which will take place in Santiago, Chile, from 3-5 June. As with previous HSP conferences, Reconnaissance has had to close registration weeks ahead of the event due to its popularity.

By his own admission, Renaud Laffont-Leenhardt, Product Line Director for Travel Documents at Thales, will have long retired by 2044, but that didn’t stop him from presenting a compelling vision for travel documents at the recent ODDS conference.

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators has announced the launch of its Digital Trust Service, with Utah and Maryland being the first states to sign on.

TOPPAN Gravity Ethiopia Share Company, a joint venture between TOPPAN Gravity Ltd and the government of Ethiopia, has embarked on a project to establish a state-of-the-art passport manufacturing and issuance plant in Addis Ababa.

As voters prepare to exercise their democratic right once again, we draw on an NBC News report to examine the growing trend of stricter voter ID requirements across various states.

Diffractive optically variable image devices (DOVIDs) are highly effective and robust security features for identity documents. Their inherent sophistication and security are known to offer a multitude of benefits in combating counterfeiting and ensuring the authenticity of ID documents.

Nestled among seven hills overlooking the Tagus River, Portugal’s vibrant capital city Lisbon played host to the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) 2024 conference (8-10 April).

Antoine Grenier is a seasoned leader, who built his strong background in engineering on large international projects.

Latin America (LatAm) boasts a rich tapestry of cultures, landscapes, and identities, intricately woven into the fabric of each nation. At the heart of this diversity lies the passport, a symbolic gateway that not only facilitates travel but also embodies the essence of sovereignty and citizenship.

Reconnaissance International, publisher of ID & Secure Document News™ (IDN), has released the inaugural edition of the Directory of ID & Secure Document Suppliers.

In a significant move toward digital identity management, the Nepalese government has commenced assigning national ID numbers to children during birth registration, aimed at maintaining a comprehensive database of citizens from early childhood.

Nestling in the heart of the Balkans, Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, was the picturesque setting for the latest edition of the High Security Printing™ (HSP) conference series (4-6 March). The sell-out event, which had to close its doors to new registrations three weeks in advance, proved to be a success for participants, exhibitors, presenters, and sponsors alike!

Since commenting on the state of voter ID at the 2020 US presidential election (see IDN November 2020), ID & Secure Document News™ has followed up with several other stories (IDN January 2021, June 2021 and August 2022) that demonstrate the overlap between ID, technology and politics.

France has officially introduced its digital driving licence system following successful trials in Hauts-de-Seine, Eure-et-Loir, and Rhône, as announced by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.

In my previous roles within security print-related companies, all the way to my current editorial duties, I’ve witnessed many shifting patterns in the landscape of identity and secure documents.

In an increasingly connected world, where patches and updates are delivered to your smartphone on a daily basis, Juliette Thomas and Jérôme Boudineau, from IDEMIA Smart Identity, ask why we need to wait for an electronic ID card to be reissued before we can get an updated operating system. Well now, we don’t!

One of the highlights of the High Security Printing™ (HSP) conferences each year is the regional awards for the best ID documents and banknotes, which this year were presented at the HSP gala dinner in Sofia.

In the realm of document security, Latvia is making significant strides with its new ePassport.

The UK government has recently spotlighted digital identity and artificial intelligence (AI) as key technologies for state- supported research. Its policy document promises to reshape how the UK interacts with technology and pave the way for economic growth and a more inclusive society.

In an industry dominated by large-scale operations catering to government and corporate contracts, one small-format security print business is making a big impact with its specialised services.

With the advent of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), detecting forged documents has taken a significant leap forward.

This month, three new document issues go on record, with the launch of the Macau Electronic ID, the Latvia ePassport and the Greece ePassport.

Such has been the demand to attend the High Security Printing™ EMEA conference (HSP) in Sofia, Bulgaria, that registration for the event has now closed.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has solidified its commitment to supporting the production of secure identity documents in Greece through a €10.5 million 10-year loan to Veridos Matsoukis, a prominent printer specialising in secure ID documents.

In a move aimed at bolstering its commitment to enhancing global safety and security, IDEMIA Group has announced a comprehensive reorganisation, which became effective on 2 January 2024.

South Africa’s new driving licence cards will not launch by the end of March 2024, as former Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula first announced.

The US government has recently awarded a substantial three-year contract, worth $386.3 million, to General Dynamics, a leading defence contractor, for the operation of its biometric ID management infrastructure.

Optic ID, an iris authentication system developed by Apple, is a key feature integrated into Apple’s new Vision Pro headset. This technology enables users to securely unlock their device, authorise transactions, access personal data, and sign-in to various applications using iris recognition.

The surge in biometric technology, particularly facial recognition, within the aviation sector is poised to redefine the passenger experience at airports across the world. In this round up, we take a look at a range of automated border control initiatives from across the globe.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and connectivity, the concept of digital identity is at the forefront of discussions worldwide. As we delve into 2024, the lines between our physical and online worlds continue to blur, prompting nations to reconsider the way they handle citizen information.

In a year that is predicted to see the continued shift from physical to digital identity management, ID & Secure Document News™ interviewed Marc- Julian Siewert, CEO of Veridos, to help us assess the impact of the transition.

In a significant digital innovation, Kenya has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, overhauling its visa application process.

In a move to enhance security and streamline travel processes, Liechtenstein has introduced a new national identity card for travel and a revamped residence card for EU/EEA/CH citizens.

Recent studies from Columbia University suggest a shift in some of the strongest held assumptions about fingerprint analysis by challenging the conventional notion of the absolute uniqueness of fingerprints.

As we step into a year marked by national elections across seven of the world’s ten most populous countries, the democratic process is gaining increasing global attention.

HID, a trusted identity solutions leader, recently received acclaim at the London Design Awards for its Bahrain ePassport design.

At a time when identity management systems have overlapping dependencies on physical documents, digital transactions and virtual identities, ensuring the security of our financial interactions and identity verification has become of paramount concern.

In a quiet amendment to a new criminal justice bill, the UK government has granted police the authority to conduct facial recognition searches on a vast database containing images of all 50 million driving licence holders in the country.

The Michigan Secretary of State (SOS), in the US, said the state is changing the look of its driving licences and state ID cards, starting in 2024.