In April 2025, the Italian Communications Authority (AGCOM) approved Resolution No. 96/25/CONS as part of the “Caivano Decree” in a major move to strengthen the protection of minors online.

A few weeks later, AGCOM introduced new technical and procedural rules that require websites and video-sharing platforms hosting adult content accessible from Italy to verify users’ ages before granting access.

These measures set out how platforms must implement reliable age verification systems to stop minors from viewing adult or otherwise restricted content—such as pornography, gambling, or the sale of alcohol and tobacco. All affected platforms must comply by November 2025.

Practical implications for adult platforms

At its core, the age verification system has two main steps:

• Identification: Users must first prove their age through certified digital identity systems (such as SPID, CIE, or digital identity wallets) or by using privacy-preserving facial age estimation without storing or linking personal data.
• Authentication: Each time a user accesses restricted content, they must authenticate again to confirm they are the same verified adult.

Since this process involves the processing of personal data, the law requires certified third-party intermediaries to protect user privacy and comply with the GDPR’s data minimization principle. Independent providers, like Gataca, handle age checks without sharing personal data with the adult platform.

In practice, this means the verifier (age verification providers) doesn’t know which site or service the user is trying to access and the platform (the adult site) never receives any identifying information about the user.

This dual separation—known as “double anonymity”—prevents any single party from being able to link identity data with browsing or content access habits, ensuring the anonymity of the person accessing the adult site.

Technically, the process works in three steps:

1. A user obtains a proof of age from a certified entity (like a digital ID provider).
2. That proof is stored or downloaded by the user and shared with the verifier.
3. The platform only receives a yes/no confirmation that the user is 18+ and grants or denies access.

In short, adult content platforms will need to integrate age verification mechanisms that protect minors while protecting user privacy, a balance that will require both technical adaptation and close attention to compliance.

What are the consequences of non-compliance?

Platforms that fail to meet the new age verification requirements within the set deadlines risk enforcement action by AGCOM. This may include sanction procedures such as significant administrative fines on operators that ignore its orders or warnings, or even blocking orders for non-compliance.

How to comply with Italy's age verification requirements

AGCOM has taken a technology-neutral approach, meaning platforms are free to choose how they implement age verification as long as the system meets the following legal and technical principles:

• Proportionate: The method used to verify age should strike a fair balance between protecting minors and respecting users’ privacy.
• Data-safe: Any system must comply with the GDPR. Collecting or storing personal data like ID documents or selfies is not allowed.
• Secure: Strong cybersecurity measures must protect the system from hacking or misuse. The verification process should be hard to bypass.
• Accurate and effective: The system must reliably confirm users’ ages every time they log in or access adult content. A verification session ends when the user closes the browser, logs out, or is inactive for more than 45 minutes.
• Easy to use: The process should be simple, fast, and inclusive, including for people with disabilities.
• Transparent: Users must be clearly informed about how the age verification works and how their data is handled.
• Non-discriminatory: The system should work equally for everyone, without bias.
• Responsive: Platforms must offer a clear and quick way for users to file complaints about incorrect age checks.

At Gataca, we offer two age assurance methods and both are fully compliant with these requirements.

How Gataca can help

Meeting Italy’s new age verification requirements doesn’t have to be complicated. Gataca makes it easy with a fully compliant solution designed with the fastest and simplest user experience to drive top conversion rates when users reach the age verification step.

We offer two AGCOM-compliant methods, so you can choose what works best for your business:

• Facial Age Estimation – Users take a quick selfie and our AI estimates their age and confirms they’re real through liveness detection. No ID uploads, no stored images, no personal data.
• Gataca App (ID Wallet) – Users complete a one-time ID check to receive a verified proof of age in their digital wallet. They can then share it with just one click to access instantly your site or anywhere digital ID wallets are accepted.

AGCOM explicitly recognizes digital identity wallets as a valid and compliant way to perform age verification and even encourages them in anticipation to the upcoming EU Digital Identity Wallet. Facial age estimation is also accepted, provided it runs locally, stores no biometric data, and complies with AGCOM’s privacy, proportionality, and accuracy principles.

Both methods use passkeys for returning visitors, providing a more convenient and secure experience.

The message for platforms is clear: with the enforcement deadline fast approaching, now is the time to act and stay compliant the easy way with Gataca.

While the European Union is leading the charge with the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet initiative, it's far from alone. From Argentina to South Korea, countries across continents are designing and deploying their own wallet solutions, each shaped by local needs, regulations, and digital readiness.

In this article, we explore a selection of current digital identity wallet initiatives from around the world. While not exhaustive, this snapshot illustrates one key point: ID wallets are not just a futuristic idea, they're already a global reality.

European Digital Identity Wallet Initiatives

The European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) is a flagship project under the EU’s eIDAS 2.0 regulation, which was approved in 2024.

By 2026, all EU citizens, residents, and businesses will be able to use a digital ID wallet to prove their identity and share personal information online in a simple, private, and secure manner.

Large scale pilots were initiated in April 2023, involving over 350 organizations from 26 EU Member States, as well as Norway, Iceland, and Ukraine to validate the wallet's functionality, interoperability, and security before its widespread adoption. Additional pilots are scheduled to commence in mid-2025, including the WE-BUILD Consortium which Gataca is part of.

In the meantime, Member States are actively rolling out national versions in preparation for full-scale adoption. Here's a look at what’s happening across Europe:

Austria

Austria has complemented its digital identity solution "ID Austria," with the "eAusweise" app, which allows citizens to carry digital versions of their identification documents, such as driving licenses, national IDs and proof of age, on their smartphones.

Currently, around 3,045,000 people (34% of the total population ) are registered with ID Austria and more than 70,000 digital identity certificates have already been loaded in the "eAusweis" app.

Belgium

In May 2024, Belgium launched a digital wallet application named myGov.be, designed to hold official documents and allow users access to public services.

The Belgian government has announced Belgian citizens will be able to apply for a digital version of the national identity card from November 2026.

Czechia

The Czech Republic launched eDoklady in January 2024, the country’s digital ID application, compatible with the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet.

This year, the government tested mobile ID verification in Senate elections (Jan 17–18) using the eDoklady app with ISO 18013-5 proximity flow. The app has 600,000 downloads since January 2024 and is accepted at banks, post offices, insurers, polling stations, and municipalities.

Denmark

Denmark has announced in April 2025 its plans to launch a national digital wallet, with development starting in April 2025, go-live in Q1 2026, followed by two years of support and continued development.

In subsequent project phases, the functionality will be expanded to include a wide range of digital credentials and comply with the requirements of the EU’s eIDAS 2.0 regulation.

Estonia

Already a digital government pioneer, Estonia is building its EUDI-compliant wallet through Cybernetica. Additionally, during its next local elections, Estonia plans to allow its citizens to identify themselves through the private digital identity app Smart-ID, combining public and private sector innovation.

Finland

The Ministry of Finance has set up a project to guide the implementation of a national digital identity wallet. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will be responsible for the technical implementation.

France

End of 2023, France launched France Identité as the French EUDI Wallet prototype. Among its current use cases, is the use of National ID cards as a digital solution for presenting tickets on the TGV, France's high-speed train network.

Germany

Germany is actively developing its digital identity infrastructure through the "SPRIND Funke EUDI Wallet Prototype" initiative, which ends September 2025. Launched by the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation, this innovation competition seeks to develop and test technical solutions for future German EUDI wallets in the form of prototypes.

Greece

Greece is preparing for the EU Digital Identity Wallet with the Gov.gr digital wallet app through which greek citizens can create, save and check digital documents such as digital identity cards, driving licences or the digital disability cards.

Italy

Italy has introduced the IT Wallet, a national digital identity initiative integrated into the country's public services application, IO.

Launched in December 2024, the IT Wallet allows Italian citizens and residents to digitally store key documents. The initiative is set to expand its functionalities to include additional documents like ID cards and passports, as well as services such as payments and is expected to evolve in coordination with the broader EUDI Wallet framework.

Netherlands

The Netherlands's EU Digital Identity Wallet, NL-Wallet, is currently in the making through the EDI System programme implemented on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.

Poland

The mObywatel application, developed by Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs, serves as the country's official digital identity application and is poised to become Poland's implementation of the European Digital Identity Wallet.

Spain

In 2022, Gataca was appointed by the Spanish Royal Mint (FNMT) as the technology partner to implement Self-Sovereign Identity technology in a pilot in collaboration with Spanish universities.

The initiative provided a mobile application, Cartera Digital, which allowed users to generate and store verifiable credentials, providing reliable, easy, and secure access to digital services, such as those offered by the participant universities.

Sweden

Sweden announced in February 2025 that its DIGG agency is developing a national wallet to support the EUDI framework.

Switzerland

Since late March 2025, the public has been able to test Switzerland’s electronic identity via the digital wallet app called ‹SWIYU›. Moreover, the government has announced plans to start issuing eIDs from 2026 and explore interoperability with the EUDI framework.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has announced that it will launch a digital wallet this year for easier access to public services. The UK government is developing a digital wallet integrated into the GOV.UK app, aiming to streamline citizens' access to various official documents. Scheduled for launch in June 2025, the wallet will initially support digital versions of driving licences and veteran ID cards.

Ukraine

Ukraine is set to integrate with the EU Digital Identity Wallet framework by the end of 2026. Through its "Diia" platform, Ukrainians will be able to use digital documents across the EU, and Europeans will have reciprocal access in Ukraine. This development follows successful compatibility testing with the EU's eIDAS 2.0 regulation, ensuring seamless cross-border digital identification.

United States

In 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a major initiative under its Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) to drive the development of secure digital credential wallets.

As part of this effort, six companies were selected to create wallet solutions capable of storing and presenting verifiable credentials, such as mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) and other government-issued digital IDs.

These projects focus on privacy-preserving architectures, interoperability, and adherence to global standards like ISO/IEC 18013-5, which governs mobile driver's licenses.

Meanwhile, adoption at the state level is accelerating.

As of April 2025, at least 15 U.S. states allow residents to add mDLs and other digital credentials to wallets like Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or state-backed apps such as LA Wallet in Louisiana and myColorado in Colorado.

One of the most visible use cases is at TSA checkpoints in select airports, where travellers can now present digital IDs for secure, contactless identity verification.

Canada

To ensure consistency and trustworthiness across various digital ID systems, Canada is employing the Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF). This framework, overseen by the DIACC, sets out standards for digital identity verification and authentication.

Moreover, some provinces are also pursuing their own digital ID initiatives, like Ontario’s Digital ID program, which aims to provide residents with secure digital wallets to store identification documents.

Australia

Australia passed its Digital ID Bill in 2024. Backed by a AU$145.5 million funding package, the new system aims to concentrate identification documents into a single digital wallet. Citizens will be able to use this wallet to seamlessly access a broad range of government and private sector services, from healthcare and education to banking and travel.

The framework is built to align with global digital ID standards, including frameworks like the EU’s eIDAS, opening doors for potential cross-border compatibility in the future.

New Zealand

New Zealand is advancing its digital identity infrastructure through the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework (DISTF), which officially came into effect on November 8, 2024. This framework establishes a regulatory environment for accredited digital identity services, including digital wallets and apps, to ensure they operate with high standards of privacy, security, and user control.

Argentina

Starting in October 2024, Buenos Aires integrated QuarkID, a blockchain-based self-sovereign identity (SSI) system, into its official government platform, miBA. Being one of the first to implement a decentralized digital identity solution at scale, providing over 3.6 million residents with enhanced control over their personal data through the miBA app.

It allows citizens to verify credentials—such as age or residency—without revealing unnecessary personal information, thereby enhancing privacy and reducing the risk of identity theft. Pilot programs are also underway in other Argentine provinces.

South Korea

South Korea started a trial in January 2025, allowing citizens 17+ to store resident registration cards on smartphones. Piloted in nine regions with nationwide rollout in March.

Taiwan

Taiwan began trialing its Digital ID Wallet in April 2025, enabling secure digital interactions with government and services.

Is Your Business Ready for ID Wallets?

As governments across the globe race toward implementing digital ID wallet solutions, one thing is clear: this transformation is no longer a matter of if but when.

For businesses, this shift is a strategic opportunity. Digital identity wallets will redefine how users prove who they are, interact with services, and protect their data. Organizations already adapting by updating systems and rethinking customer experiences will not only stay ahead of the curve but also be best positioned to capture new opportunities and build lasting trust.

At Gataca, we help businesses stay ahead by making it easy to work with digital ID wallets. Our platform enables you to issue and verify digital credentials to and from your customers' ID wallets so you can allow trusted interactions with them.

Digital identity verification, particularly in regulated sectors, is essential for security, fraud prevention, and compliance.

However, when users need to verify their identity again and again across multiple services, it quickly becomes tiring, impacting the user experience and leading to high drop-off rates.

Reusable identity lets users access multiple services with a single verified identity. In this guide, we'll break down what reusable identity is, how it works, and why your organization should adopt it to increase conversions, reduce operational costs, and deliver a superior user experience.

What is a reusable identity?

A reusable identity is a digital version of a person's verified information—like their name, age, or government ID—that can be used again and again to prove who they are.

Instead of asking users to upload documents, take selfies, or fill out lengthy forms every time they register for a new service, they can verify their identity once and reuse that same verified information across multiple platforms.

This is made possible through verifiable credentials, which are trusted digital documents stored in an ID Wallet on the user's device.

This gives individuals full control over their information and makes it easy for them to share only what's needed, when it's needed.

For organizations, this means faster onboarding, fewer drop-offs, and stronger trust, all while reducing the burden of repeatedly collecting, storing, and verifying identity data.

How is a reusable identity obtained?

Reusable identity credentials can be obtained from trusted sources such as government agencies, banks, or compliance services. These sources issue digital credentials after confirming a person’s identity.

Alternatively, users can also complete a one-time identity verification process (KYC) directly in the Gataca Wallet. This process typically takes just a minute and only needs to be done once.

Once verified, the user receives a set of verifiable credentials that confirm who they are. These can be used repeatedly across different services, removing the need to repeat the same identity checks every time.

In addition, users can also self-issue certain credentials like email addresses or phone numbers, which can be verified on their own.

How does reusable identity work?

Once a person verifies their identity, the verified information is converted into digital credentials and securely stored in their ID Wallet. Access to these credentials is protected by secure authentication methods, such as biometrics (fingerprint or face scan) or PIN code.

When a new service or organization needs to confirm someone’s identity, the process is simple:

1. Scan a QR Code – The person scans a code to start the request.
2. Review – They review exactly which credentials are being asked for.
3. Tap to Share – With a single tap, they agree to share just the required data.

This all takes seconds. The credentials are backed by cryptographic signatures, so the receiving service can trust they’re real with no need to contact the original issuer or manually check documents.

And the best part is reusable identity works across different platforms, industries, and even countries.

Reusable identity comparison

Challenges with traditional identity verification

For years, identity verification has depended on manual checks using physical documents, whether online or in person. While this approach is widely accepted and often legally required, it comes with clear downsides:

• Time-consuming and repetitive: Users must go through the same process for every service or institution.
• Prone to error and fraud: Manual reviews introduce human error and risks like document forgery.
• Overexposure of data: Sensitive documents are frequently copied, stored, or over-shared, creating privacy risks.
• Expensive and hard to scale: For organizations, verifying identities this way creates cost, friction, and inefficiency.

What makes Reusable Digital Identity different from a traditional Single Sign-On?

At first glance, reusable identity might seem similar to traditional Single Sign-On (SSO) systems like Google or Facebook Login. Both let users sign in to different services without creating new accounts each time.

But under the surface, they work in very different ways, with major implications for privacy, security, and control.

Traditional SSO systems use a federated model. A central identity provider authenticates the user and confirms their identity to third-party services. This setup offers convenience but comes at a cost:

• The provider is in control. If the account is compromised, access to all linked services is at risk.
• Privacy concerns. Providers often track user behaviour across different platforms.
• It’s limited in scope. Its use is limited to platforms and apps integrated with the identity provider so you can't use federated SSO at your local bank or government portal.

In contrast, reusable digital identity is built on a decentralized model, shifting control from big tech providers to the users themselves:

• The user is in control. They hold their credentials and decide what to share and with whom.
• No one tracks their activity. There’s no central authority overseeing or logging interactions.
• It works anywhere. Credentials can be used across sectors, borders, and systems, from financial onboarding and healthcare logins to age verification at a bar or purchasing online.

Reusable identity enables the same convenience as SSO but without centralized control, tracking, or ecosystem limitations. It’s SSO redefined.

Reusable identity cross-sector example

Imagine an individual named John has the following verifiable credentials stored securely in their ID Wallet:

• Identity document verified (Government-issued ID)
• Proof of legal age
• Verified diploma
• Proof of address
• Verified email address

Now, John wants to open an account with a new bank.

Traditionally, this process would involve uploading documents, filling out lengthy forms, and waiting for manual reviews—one of the biggest reasons customers abandon onboarding.

But with reusable identity, it’s a seamless experience:

John visits the bank’s website and scans a QR code.

A prompt appears showing which credentials are being requested (i.e., ID document, proof of address and email).

With a single click, John consents to share it directly from their wallet.

In seconds, their identity is verified, the account is created, and they’re ready to use the service without having to undergo a repeated KYC process or re-upload documents.

But the best part is that John can reuse that same set of credentials anywhere that accepts verifiable credentials, for example:

• Accessing a government portal
• Buying age-restricted goods online
• Applying for a postgraduate program
• Verifying identity at a healthcare center

Why is everyone talking about reusable identity?

Reusable identity and the ID wallets that make it possible have been gaining traction for years. But 2024 marked a major turning point.

What’s driving this momentum? A combination of regulatory pressure and growing demand for better online experiences and stronger privacy.

In Europe, the approval of eIDAS 2.0 in May 2024 requires:

1. Every EU country must provide at least one European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) by 2026.
2. Private-sector services that require strong identity checks—like banks, telecoms, and healthcare providers—must accept ID wallets as a valid method of verification.

This makes reusable identity a core part of the European digital ecosystem. But the movement isn’t limited to Europe. Countries and companies around the world are launching digital identity wallet initiatives.

This is possible because ID Wallets use open standards for end-user interoperability. That means:

• Cross-sector: Use the same credentials for banking, education, travel, healthcare, and more.
• Cross-border: Share identity across countries in a legally recognized and standardized way.
• Cross-vendor: Credentials issued to one wallet can be verified through another vendor, thanks to open standards and common frameworks.

This shift moves us away from fragmented identity experiences, where each app or service runs its own siloed process, toward a model where identity is reusable, recognized, and portable anywhere it's accepted.

Analysts are taking note. According to Liminal, a digital identity research firm, the reusable identity market is projected to grow from $32.8 billion in 2022 to $266.5 billion by 2027 at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 69%.

Benefits of Reusable Identity

For Individuals:

• Convenience: ID Wallets facilitate online verification as users can prove who they are or any information about themselves with just one click anywhere at any time (and without passwords!). No more repetitive data entry, document uploads, or awkward selfies.
• Portability: Users can store and access all their digital credentials from a single app on their mobile device, eliminating the need to carry multiple physical documents.
• Global recognition: Verifiable credentials adhere to international standards, ensuring they are recognized and accepted globally.
• Data Control: Individuals have greater control over their data. They can choose what data to share and with whom. They can also opt to disclose only specific details, such as sharing just their name and last name without revealing their address when sharing a National ID.
• Robust Protection: Verifiable credentials are fortified with cryptographic security so that individuals can trust that their personal information remains secure.

For Organizations:

• Enhance User Experience: ID Wallets give users passwordless, instant access to online services, eliminating friction during onboarding and lowering abandonment rates.
• Increase Security: ID Wallets use biometrics, strong encryption, and distributed storage to minimize the risk of large-scale data breaches.
• Cost Saving: Reduce operational expenses related to customer identity verification processes, compliance, and data storage.
• Reduce Identity Fraud: Verifiable credentials use advanced cryptography so you can automatically verify their data authenticity and issuer organization.
• Lower Admin Burden: Ease operational processes by reducing paperwork and verification hurdles.
• Regulatory Compliance: Achieve compliance with eIDAS in Europe and KYC and data protection requirements (GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA).

How Gataca enables reusable identity

At Gataca, we help businesses stay ahead by making it easy to work with digital ID wallets. Our platform enables you to issue and verify digital credentials to and from your customers' ID wallets so you can allow trusted interactions with them.