Latest news with #UAEPASS
Time Out Dubai
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
The UAE's Emirates ID might be changing soon – here's how
That little Emirates ID card you carry around in your wallet? It might be on its way out – or at least, headed for a serious digital upgrade. Known for being one step above the rest, the UAE has futuristic plans to phase out the need to physically present your Emirates ID when accessing key services. Instead, biometric tech like facial recognition and digital verification through your phone will do all the work. The new system – spearheaded by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) – is expected to roll out within the next year. And it could be a game-changer for everything from hospital visits to hotel check-ins. The new e-Emirates ID system Currently, despite all the tech advances in the UAE, you still need to flash your original Emirates ID card to do quite a few things – like open a bank account, check into a hotel, or access healthcare. But not for long. Enter: the upgraded e-Emirates ID system. How will it work? The ICP is expanding the use of digital Emirates IDs via the UAEPASS app – a government-backed platform that already allows users to request digital versions of official documents. The next step? Making facial recognition and biometric authentication the norm. Instead of handing over a card, you'll soon be able to verify your identity just by looking at a screen. The plan is to integrate this across a wide range of sectors – think banking, healthcare, telecoms and hospitality. You might also like: You won't believe what your Emirates ID chip knows about you Wait, haven't we seen this before? Sort of. The UAE introduced facial recognition services through the UAEPASS app back in 2021, during GITEX. Since then, the tech has slowly been rolled out across select services. But now, the ICP wants to take things further, encouraging partners across industries to adopt the new system and make it universal. Minister of State for FNC Affairs, Abdul Rahman Al Owais, confirmed that e-Emirates IDs are already in use for several services. The focus now is on speeding up adoption, ironing out challenges and expanding digital identity use across all key sectors. What about privacy? Naturally, when biometric data is involved, people want to know how their information is being protected. The ICP says it's following strict laws and data protection standards to ensure trust and security for all users. So while you may be trading your card for a camera scan, your personal data should still be safe and sound. This could be the beginning of the end for physical Emirates IDs – at least when it comes to using them for everyday services. The transition won't happen overnight, but it's well underway. So, if you haven't downloaded the UAEPASS app yet, now might be a good time. More Dubai news Dubai commits Dhs1.4 Billion to major flood-prevention project The city is working hard to fight flooding Dubai's Mall of the Emirates to undergo *huge* expansion — here's what to expect You're going to see some big changes 18 renamed Dubai Metro stations (and their true meanings explained) A full breakdown
Khaleej Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
GIG Gulf - making insurance simple, easy and relevant
Part of the region's leading insurance powerhouse, Gulf Insurance Group (GIG), GIG Gulf has earned its place as one of the most trusted names in insurance across the Middle East. With over 70 years of presence in the GCC, the company provides a wide range of insurance products for individuals, families, SMEs, and corporates in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar. Backed by Fairfax Financial Holdings and driven by a focus on innovation, service excellence, and regional expertise, GIG Gulf is on a mission to become the region's go-to digital insurer putting members at the centre of everything it does. In a world where digital transformation is reshaping industries, GIG Gulf is leading the charge in reimagining how customers engage with insurance. The company's focus on intuitive, technology-driven experiences has positioned it as a pioneer in delivering smart, accessible, and user-friendly solutions. At the heart of this evolution is MyGIG, a digital ecosystem for our existing customers. Our award-winning MyGIG Gulf mobile app is a powerful tool for our health members, putting the control in their hands. With features like instant policy access, real-time claims tracking, and a smart provider locator, the app simplifies the customer journey and reflects GIG Gulf's commitment to blending innovation with everyday convenience. It creates a place for customers to have quick access more than just their policy with access to wellbeing services that allow us to care beyond the typical insurance offering. But the transformation goes beyond healthcare. The MyGIG Car portal, allows customers to download Orange Cards instantly streamlining what used to be a time-consuming task for GCC-bound motorists. It's another example of how GIG Gulf is using digital agility to meet real-world needs. The company has also pioneered integration with UAE PASS, the national digital identity platform, across its services. This allows customers to log in with a single tap and securely share verified documents like their Emirates ID and driving license making it faster, safer, and reinforcing GIG Gulf's focus on building easy and seamless digital interactions. Renewing motor insurance can be done in under 1 minute. With a simple link sent via SMS, WhatsApp, or email, customers can review, authenticate, and pay all within minutes. It's seamless, fast, and a clear example of GIG Gulf's drive to simplify insurance at every step. And to ensure we provide the best support during crisis, our first-in-region end to end claim registration journey powered by artificial intelligence allows customers to register their claims instantly online, choose the garage that they prefer for repair and ultimately, speeding up the process that will get them back on the road in no time. With an 'A' (Excellent) rating from AM Best and recent recognition as Health Insurer of the Year 2025 by Mena II, GIG Gulf isn't just keeping up with the digital shift — it's setting the standard. From real-time services to simplified renewals, greater transparency, and a focus on ease, GIG Gulf is reshaping what insurance should look and feel like in the moments that matter. In today's connected world, it's not just about being digital — it's about offering smart, effortless solutions that customers can trust. "Our digital transformation is about offering fast and easy protection, but with a human touch. At GIG Gulf, we're building a future where insurance is as intuitive as it is essential, seamlessly woven into our customers' everyday lives."
CairoScene
17-04-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Facial Recognition to Replace Physical Emirates ID Cards in UAE
The new facial recognition-based digital ID system will be integrated into the UAEPASS app. Apr 17, 2025 The UAE is set to phase out physical Emirates ID cards in favour of a new national digital ID system based on facial recognition and biometric verification. Expected to roll out within a year, the system will enable residents and citizens to access essential services—banking, healthcare, hospitality, telecommunications—without presenting a physical card. The initiative, led by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), was announced during a Federal National Council session, where Minister Abdul Rahman Al Owais confirmed that the electronic Emirates ID is already in use for many services, and the ICP will now prioritise wider adoption in key areas. The new system will be integrated into the UAEPASS app, the UAE's national digital identity, which already allows users to access official documents securely through facial recognition. The ICP will work closely with sector partners to expand biometric capabilities while ensuring compliance with data protection laws.
Hi Dubai
17-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE to Replace Physical Emirates IDs with Biometric-Based Digital System
The UAE is set to eliminate the need for physical Emirates ID cards by rolling out a new digital identification system within a year, authorities announced during a recent Federal National Council (FNC) session. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) confirmed it is expanding the use of e-Emirates IDs in key sectors such as banking, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications. The upgraded system will rely on biometric and facial recognition technologies to streamline identity verification, reducing reliance on physical documents. FNC member Adnan Al Hammadi raised concerns over the continued demand for physical Emirates IDs, highlighting issues faced by residents across essential services. 'There is an urgent need for fast, effective solutions,' he said, citing difficulties in hospitals, banks, and hotels that still require original ID cards. Responding to the concerns, Minister of State for FNC Affairs Abdul Rahman Al Owais stated that e-Emirates ID is already active across various services and will be prioritised in the sectors highlighted by the FNC. The digital identity initiative will be powered by the UAEPASS app, which allows residents to securely access a range of government and private services. Launched during GITEX 2021, UAEPASS already supports facial recognition and offers access to digital documents, including Emirates IDs. ICP emphasized that the rollout will be guided by robust data protection standards and inter-agency collaboration to ensure secure and reliable identity verification across platforms. The move marks a major step in the UAE's digital transformation agenda, aimed at simplifying and securing service access for all residents. News Source: Khaleej Times
Dubai Eye
27-03-2025
- Dubai Eye
Dubai Police arrests gang posing as officials to gain UAE PASS access
Dubai Police has arrested a gang that specialises in impersonating employees of the Consumer Rights Protection Department in order to gain access to people's bank details through the UAE PASS app. Dubai Police explained that the gang used sophisticated fraudulent techniques to convince victims to share confidential information, particularly bank card details before illegally withdrawing money from the victims' accounts without their knowledge. The callers typically request that victims update their details on digital identity platforms or share confidential banking information, including bank card numbers, CVV codes, and one-time passwords (OTPs). Dubai Police stressed that anyone requesting such sensitive information is a fraudster attempting to access the victim's bank account. The Anti-Fraud Centre confirmed that a dedicated task force was formed to locate and apprehend the suspects. The team successfully identified their whereabouts and arrested them in possession of electronic devices used to carry out the fraudulent operations. Dubai Police urged all community members not to share personal or confidential data under any circumstances with unknown individuals or callers, even if they claim to represent official or banking entities under the pretext of 'updating information.' The Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation in Dubai Police has issued a warning to the public against responding to phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to represent official authorities. It urged the public not to disclose personal or banking information over the phone, report suspicious calls immediately, and report cyber fraud cases by visiting the nearest police station or through the dedicated 'eCrime' platform at
