Chile, New Zealand and Singapore look to make their digital identity systems compatible
As part of their new Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore have agreed to work towards making their digital identity systems interoperable. Recognising that cooperation on individual and corporate digital identities will increase regional and global connectivity, the trade agreement between the three countries calls for the development of “appropriate frameworks to foster technical interoperability or common standards between each party’s implementation of digital identities.” The countries have also agreed to work towards ensuring their respective legal frameworks will provide mutual protection of digital identities.
The agreement contains similar provisions to develop the compatibility and interoperability of national systems to protect personal information, while also calling on the three countries to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence governance frameworks that “take into consideration internationally-recognised principles or guidelines, including: explainability, transparency, fairness, and human-centred values.” The New Zealand government said the new tripartite agreement complements and supports the ongoing WTO-based negotiations on e-commerce, as well as work within the APEC forum and the OECD.
Separately, the Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon is developing checkout terminals that would enable shoppers to link their payment card information to the distinctive patterns in the palm of their hand. They could then pay for purchases in bricks and mortar stores using their palm, without having to take out a payment card or phone.
For more information, see the text of the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement here and the Wall Street Journal report here.