Your digital ID can now be stored on your phone, not a government database

The World Bank is pushing for digital identity systems where people store their own credentials on their phones. This means individuals, not governments or companies, control their digital IDs and can share them securely across different services.

For decades, digital identity meant a central database held your information, creating a single point of failure and privacy concerns. This shift means your digital ID can work more like a physical wallet, where you carry your driver's license or passport and present it when needed, without a third party holding all your data. It makes it easier to prove who you are for things like opening a bank account or getting a loan, especially across borders, without relying on a single authority.