Mastercard has been given the go-ahead to offer ID, its digital identity service, to organisations in the UK.
The payments giant announced recently that it had received full certification as an identity provider under the UK’s Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF).
Mastercard’s ID app had been created to give consumers more choice in how they prove their identity whether they’re starting a new job, making a purchase, renting a flat, or applying to university.
One of the key benefits is that the user has complete control over their digital identity. The service uses Mastercard’s global network and data privacy practices, keeping consumers in control of their data, so people can choose what information to provide, to whom, and when.
The rise of the online world is nothing new, but the number of devices connected to the Internet of Things, including machines, sensors, and cameras continues to show explosive growth.
A Cisco report previously forecasted that connected devices would reach three times the global population by this year, further highlighting the importance of being able to take control of one’s own digital identity in what has become a fast-changing world.
According to Sarah Clark, Senior Vice President, Digital Identity at Mastercard, “Digital identity is one of the keys to vastly reducing fraud and improving consumers’ experiences. The UK is at the forefront of giving people greater control in proving their identity easily and safely.”
“By receiving certification in the UK, Mastercard can collaborate with the privae and public sector to offer ID,” she added.
The move comes four years after Mastercard first started scaling ID globally by announcing several pilots and global partnerships with Samsung and Microsoft. Since 2021, it has also partnered with Optus, a telecommunications company in Australia, to provide ID to more than 600,000 of its customers.
Certified organisations like Mastercard can work with each other under an established set of rules and standards set by the DIATF, to ensure that digital attributes and identities are consistent and trusted. Providers also conduct annual assessments to verify they meet DIATF requirements. The company added that it will continue to roll out ID in other regions to build trust and improve the consumer experience.
