UAE Introduces Digital Identity System

The United Arab Emirates takes another significant step towards digital transformation: a new digital identity system will soon be launched that allows residents to no longer carry their physical Emirates ID cards. The system is expected to be based on facial recognition and biometric technology and will be widely used in sectors such as banking, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications.

Why is the new digital identity system necessary?

Although the UAE has made significant progress in digitization over the years, the physical Emirates ID is still mandatory in many sectors. For example, in healthcare services patients are still required to present their original cards, banks insist on in-person transactions, and hotels often only allow check-ins with ID presentation. This presents inconvenience and unnecessary administrative burdens for many residents, especially in a country leading in innovation and the introduction of digital services.

What does the new system offer?

The federal authority responsible for identity, citizenship, customs, and port security is already working on extending the use of the e-Emirates ID system to major sectors. The new solution's essence is that identity verification will occur via facial and biometric recognition, accessible through the UAE PASS application.

The UAE PASS is already the country's official and secure digital identification system that allows residents to access various governmental and private services. The application already offers a digital version of the Emirates ID, securely stored on the user's phone. It can already be used for various procedures, and in the future, service providers will increasingly prefer it over the physical card.

Where will the digital ID be available?

In the first phase, the authority plans rapid introduction in the following areas:

Banking services: Financial institutions can verify the customer's identity through biometric authentication, eliminating the need for physical documents.

Healthcare: Patients can digitally verify their eligibility for treatments and services.

Hospitality: Hotels can identify guests based on the digital ID, simplifying the check-in process.

Telecommunications: SIM card registration, subscriptions, and other services can be managed digitally.

What technology is behind it?

The facial recognition feature was already introduced at the GITEX 2021 event, where the UAE PASS app's facial recognition entry system debuted. The authority is now working with several technology partners to further develop the biometric identification system and encourage industry players to integrate these technologies.

Data protection is also an important aspect: the new system complies with national data management and privacy regulations, aiming to maintain and strengthen user trust.

What to expect in the upcoming period?

The system's operational launch is planned within the next year, aiming to replace the physical Emirates ID entirely with a digital alternative. The e-Emirates ID can not only make residents' daily lives easier but also safer by reducing the risks associated with losing or copying physical documents.

Summary

The UAE's next big step towards a digital future may involve the fading of the physical form of the Emirates ID. The new biometric identification system makes access to services simpler, faster, and safer—all through a smartphone and a single app. The future is indeed digital, and soon this will become a tangible reality for all residents.

(The article source is The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) statement.)