Panama has initiated a digital identity system, Decree 43, allowing permanent residents to utilize an ‘e-cédula’ stored in a mobile wallet. This system enhances online access to government and private services and mirrors Panama’s existing digital identity infrastructure for citizens. The phase-exclusive rollout on Android devices follows collaboration with tech companies and reflects the increasing use of digital wallets in the country. The update aims to simplify interactions in healthcare, banking, and social services while enhancing national security through biometrics.
Panama has launched a digital identity framework for its citizens and permanent residents, encapsulated in Decree 43. This initiative is designed to enhance secure online access to both government and private sector services, utilizing a digital identification mechanism that replicates information from traditional identity documents issued by the Tribunal Electoral (TE). Under this system, permanent residents will receive an ‘e-cédula’, a digital identity card that can be stored in a mobile wallet application. This digital ID empowers users to keep their personal identification details on their smartphones and utilize a myriad of services from governmental and financial institutions. The digital framework aligns with the existing ‘n-cédula’ for Panamanian citizens, which is concurrently being transitioned into a digital format. The TE’s Digital Identity System (SID) aims to facilitate the issuance of digital IDs and allow users to complete administrative procedures in an online environment. At its current phase, the system is exclusive to Android devices. The TE has launched a beta version of the SID app, which is presently available only to electoral court officials. This digital identity initiative underscores Panama’s growing reliance on digital wallets, as a report from Digitude reveals a significant rise in the use and ownership of digital wallet technologies across the nation, highlighting the demand for reliable and user-friendly digital solutions. In collaboration with technical partners, the Tribunal Electoral is tasked with the management of the digital identity roll-out. The Mühlbauer Group recently achieved recognition for its contribution to enhancing the Panamanian ID card infrastructure. This advancement builds on previous efforts, including a partnership between MasterCard and the Panamanian government aimed at creating a digital ID framework. Additionally, the digital identity infrastructure employs an Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) developed by Innovatrics. A consortium led by Veridos, with IECISA as system integrator and Innovatrics providing the necessary biometric technology, was chosen to enhance the current biometric verification system for national ID holders that has been operational since 2020. There are also prospects of integrating biometric identification mechanisms to assist in identifying individuals with criminal records. The digital cédula initiative underwent a soft-launch earlier in October, permitting both Panamanian citizens and expatriate residents to commence usage for accessing various services, including healthcare, banking, and social security. The Tribunal Electoral highlighted the transition to digital IDs as a significant move to bolster convenience for users while advancing national security through sophisticated biometric authentication procedures.
The introduction of digital identity systems hinges on the enhanced need for secure identification in the digital age. Governments globally are increasingly prioritizing the integration of digital identity tools to streamline processes, reduce fraud, and facilitate better access to services. The use of biometric technology, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, has proven beneficial in ensuring that individuals are accurately identified in a digital context. In Panama, this initiative not only aims to replace physical identifiers with a secure digital counterpart but also aligns with broader trends in the rise of digital wallets, which play a central role in managing identity and financial transactions efficiently and securely.
The rollout of Panama’s digital identity system represents a significant advancement in digital governance and convenience for residents and citizens. By transitioning to a digital ID framework, Panama aims to enhance security, improve accessibility to essential services, and modernize the traditional identity verification processes. The collaboration between governmental entities and technology providers is crucial in ensuring the success and security of this initiative, which holds the potential for expanding its applications across various sectors in the future.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
