In a world where deepfakes blur reality and digital wallets are spreading across continents, identity is no longer just a piece of paper or plastic in your wallet. It has become the key to accessing essential services—banking, healthcare, public administration, even social networks. But it is also increasingly a target for hackers and a tool that raises profound questions about surveillance, security, and freedom. In Identity in the Digital Age, Léwis Verdun explores this complex transformation and invites us to reflect on one of the biggest challenges of our century.

From physical ID to digital identity

For centuries, identity has been verified through physical documents—birth certificates, passports, ID cards. Today, dozens of countries are rolling out digital identity systems. In Europe, eIDAS2 seeks to harmonize digital identity wallets across the continent. In India, Aadhaar now covers more than a billion citizens. In Africa, similar initiatives aim to accelerate inclusion and access to services.
These innovations promise speed, efficiency, and convenience. But they also raise major issues of trust: who controls the data? How can it be secured? And above all, how do we guarantee that digital identity does not become a tool of exclusion?

The rise of digital identity: a booming market

According to recent studies, 91% of organizations faced at least one identity-related incident in 2024. At the same time, the global market for digital identity solutions is projected to reach nearly $100 billion by 2030. This growth reflects both the urgency of securing transactions in a digital economy and the massive investment from states and businesses.
Behind these figures lies a reality: digital identity has become a geostrategic issue, influencing not only economic competitiveness but also national security.

Benefits: inclusion, speed, efficiency

The promises are real. For millions of people excluded from traditional banking, digital identity enables access to financial services. For governments, it reduces fraud and accelerates administrative procedures. For businesses, it streamlines customer experience and reduces costs.
Inclusion, economic growth, and modernization of services: digital identity offers powerful tools to build more connected societies.

Risks: hacking, surveillance, and algorithmic bias

But the dangers are just as real. Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes. Hackers use phishing, deepfakes, and malware to bypass security systems. States themselves sometimes use digital identity to monitor citizens, raising fears of mass surveillance.
Another challenge is algorithmic bias: if the systems that validate identity are poorly trained, they risk excluding minorities or vulnerable populations, reinforcing existing inequalities.

Promising innovations: towards ethical digital identity

The book also highlights promising innovations. Decentralized wallets, for example, give users back control of their data. Zero-knowledge proofs allow authentication without revealing sensitive information. Combined with stricter regulations—such as Europe’s GDPR or new AI legislation—these technologies could pave the way to a more secure and ethical digital identity.

Why this debate matters to everyone

Identity in the digital age is not just a technological issue—it’s a societal one. It concerns our right to privacy, our ability to participate in economic life, and the protection of our fundamental freedoms. Each of us is already affected, whether when logging into an app, traveling, or accessing healthcare.
That’s why Léwis Verdun’s essay is an essential read: it provides the keys to understanding the forces at work, separating the hype from the real risks, and imagining a future where digital identity strengthens democracy rather than weakens it.

Don’t miss this essential read. Discover Identity in the Digital Age now and join the debate on the future of our freedoms.