Electronic ID key to Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation

In the case of Saudi Arabia, the shift from the National Register to the electronic identification (e-ID) program began at the end of 2007 as part of the government’s wider digital transformation strategy. (SPA/File Photo)
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Updated 19 November 2020
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Electronic ID key to Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation

  • Electronic identity cards will increasingly allow citizens and residents of GCC countries to connect with the digital economy
  • Because the new e-ID card chip has a large memory capacity, the possibilities for e-service innovations are enormous

DUBAI: Identity cards, or “Bitagat Al-Hawiyya” as they are known in the Arab world, have been around for decades, helping governments and institutions keep track of the public’s movements and their personal data for a variety of uses.

Many countries have some kind of mandatory national ID system, which allows citizens and residents to work, travel, pay their taxes and access government services. In exchange, citizens must hand over their personal data — in some cases even their medical history.

Entrusting the state with so much private data can seem unnerving or intrusive for some, wary of its potential abuse by third parties, especially now that technologies allow authorities to bulk collect and store electronic and biometric data.

The debate inevitably raises the question of just how much privacy citizens are willing to part with in exchange for security, efficiency and convenience in the modern digital economy. There are no easy answers of course.

Systems of identity verification have been around for thousands of years in the form of symbols, jewelry and even markings on the skin. More recently, authorities have been transitioning from paper-based credentials to far more comprehensive digital profiles.




A policeman checking the identity of a driver in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage amid the coronavirus crisis. (AFP/Saudi Ministry of Media/File Photo)

In the case of Saudi Arabia, the shift from the National Register to the electronic identification (e-ID) program began at the end of 2007 as part of the government’s wider digital transformation strategy.

It began with the issuance of polarized cards to all citizens over the age of 15. “In 2008 we issued the first national identity card with an electronic chip that holds the citizen’s biographic and biometric data,” Pascal Lesaulnier, CEO of Thales Saudi Arabia, told Arab News.

“This was a crucial point in the evolution of the national identity scheme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it opened the door to the possibilities of a wide application and usage of the e-ID across several platforms such as banking and telecommunications.”

It was these two sectors in particular that really propelled the shift towards e-IDs in Saudi Arabia, as new customers had to be verified before they could access financial and digital services, Lesaulnier said.

One country leading the way in digital identity verification is Singapore, becoming the first in the world to adopt facial verification in its national identity scheme in September.




In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program (NTP) are accelerating primary and digital infrastructure projects with the aim of raising living standards. (SPA/File Photo)

The new system, which was designed to give Singaporeans secure access to public and commercial services, has stirred privacy fears. But the government’s technology agency insists the system is “fundamental” to its future digital economy.

Andrew Bud, founder and chief executive of iProov, the UK company providing the technology, told the BBC that “cloud-based face verification” will be integrated with Singapore’s digital identity scheme.

“You have to make sure that the person is genuinely present when they authenticate, that you’re not looking at a photograph or a video or a replayed recording or a deepfake,” he said, describing the system’s state-of-the-art functions.

The GCC countries have already embraced several digital ID programs that work in tandem with new e-services. In the UAE, for instance, the Emirates ID has long been used as a travel document since special e-gates were added at many of the country’s airports in 2002.

Insurance companies and medical facilities have also started linking ID cards to their networks, removing the need to carry around a health insurance card.




The new e-ID, which is valid for a period of 10 years, is made from a highly durable, laser-engraved material coupled with an electronic chip containing the carrier’s biographic and biometric data, including demographic background, photograph, fingerprints and even their Hajj records. (Supplied)

Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program (NTP) are accelerating primary and digital infrastructure projects with the aim of raising living standards. “Solutions such as the e-ID can help governments improve security and deploy electronic applications to offer better public services,” said Lesaulnier.

In 2011, the Saudi Ministry of Interior asked all nationals with ID cards expiring in 2012-13 to update their details in an effort to phase out the old photo cards and replace them with new ones.

Two years later, the Saudi government introduced its first mandatory national identity cards for women — independent of their fathers and husbands — phased in over a period of seven years. “The Saudi e-ID creates a secure digital identity for each cardholder. It is a simple provisioning means of credentials and a secure, efficient physical and electronic identity verification tool,” said Lesaulnier.

The new e-ID, which is valid for a period of 10 years, is made from a highly durable, laser-engraved material coupled with an electronic chip containing the carrier’s biographic and biometric data, including demographic background, photograph, fingerprints and even their Hajj records. Applications and renewals can be made at more than 100 offices across the Kingdom.




Pascal Lesaulnier, CEO of Thales Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

Besides being recognized as an official travel document between all GCC countries, the card also provides carriers with a digital signature through a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) application

“For example, it has the ability to store the holder’s health profile, which ambulance crews can read and know which blood type the card holder has and whether he or she has any allergies or diseases. In emergency situations, this type of information could save lives,” Lesaulnier said.

Because the e-ID chip has a big memory capacity, Lesaulnier believes the possibilities are endless for all kinds of e-service innovations. “In the future, the e-ID card can see credentials saved in a cloud tied with a mobile wallet, where all service cards such as a driver license, vehicle registration and banking cards can also be featured, as well as verified and authenticated in the most secure way possible,” he said.

The privacy debate around ID cards will no doubt continue as governments keep updating regulations and shore up their cybercrime defenses. But as more and more aspects of life move conveniently into the digital domain, the question many might ask is how did we cope without them for so long.

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Twitter: @jumana_khamis


Muslim World League condemns Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza, West Bank

Updated 28 June 2025
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Muslim World League condemns Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza, West Bank

  • Organization describes actions as part of wider pattern of settler aggression

RIYADH: The Muslim World League on Saturday strongly condemned recent Israeli attacks on civilian shelters and ongoing violence against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The MWL has described the actions as part of a wider pattern of settler aggression carried out with impunity under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, the SPA added.

The MWL’s Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who also chairs the Organization of Muslim Scholars, denounced in a statement issued by the MWL’s General Secretariat what he called “heinous crimes” committed against unarmed civilians, including recent attacks by settlers on the village of Kafr Malik, east of Ramallah.

He added that the “brutal assaults” were a “blatant violation of all human values as well as international laws and norms.”

He urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and take decisive action against what he described as the occupation government’s ongoing disregard for the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.

Al-Issa also called for the immediate activation of international mechanisms to halt the violence and ensure accountability for those responsible for what he termed “horrific massacres.”

His comments came after Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday condemning the violence, denouncing “the continued violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers, under the protection of the occupation forces, against Palestinian civilians, including the attacks in the village of Kafr Malik.”


Saudi, Hungarian officials discuss parliamentary ties

Updated 28 June 2025
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Saudi, Hungarian officials discuss parliamentary ties

RIYADH: A Shoura Council delegation from the Saudi-Hungarian Parliamentary Friendship Committee concluded their official visit to Hungary, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

They met with the National Assembly speaker Laszlo Kover and members of the Hungarian counterpart committee to enhance parliamentary cooperation and strengthen ties between the two countries.

During the visit, the delegation met Hungarian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Magyar Levente, Minister of State for Water and Irrigation Zsolt Nemeth, officials from the Hungarian Ministry of Energy, and Saudi-Hungarian Business Council Co-chair Peter Karpati.

Hungarian officials stressed the importance of bilateral relations and appreciated the Kingdom's pioneering role. They also discussed ways to boost cooperation across various fields.

The delegation included committee chairman Ibrahim Al-Qannas and members Zaher Al-Shehri, Salem Al-Jarbou, Aisha Arishi, Abdulaziz Al-Jaloud, Fares Al-Osaimi, and Hisham Al-Faris. Saudi Ambassador to Hungary Majed Al-Abdan also attended the meetings.


$38m Saudi loan to boost Tunisia’s southern regions

Updated 28 June 2025
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$38m Saudi loan to boost Tunisia’s southern regions

  • Saudi Fund for Development CEO, Tunisian prime minister discuss expanding bilateral cooperation

Riyadh: Saudi Fund for Development CEO Sultan Al-Marshad signed a new development loan agreement with Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh to finance the Oasis Hub Project in southern Tunisia.

The loan, exceeding $38 million, was signed in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz Al-Saqr. The agreement reflects a strong development partnership spanning nearly 50 years, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Oasis Hub Project aims to support sustainable rural development by reclaiming more than 1,000 hectares of agricultural land across various Tunisian regions. It includes drilling and equipping 22 wells, expanding rural villages and infrastructure, and building more than 285 housing units for local residents.

The agreement is part of the Saudi fund’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable development in Tunisia by financing infrastructure that improves living standards, creates jobs, and supports the Sustainable Development Goals.

The project will enhance regional infrastructure through the construction of roads, pipelines, and water networks for drinking and irrigation. It will also support educational institutions, agricultural facilities, and cultural, social, and commercial centers.

These efforts aim to improve quality of life and drive economic and social growth in Tunisia’s southern governorates, the SPA reported.

Since beginning operations in Tunisia in 1975, the Saudi fund has financed 32 development projects and programs through concessional loans totaling more than $1.2 billion, along with grants exceeding $105 million.

On the sidelines of the signing, Al-Marshad met with Tunisian Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri in Tunis, joined by Abdelhafidh, Al-Saqr, and other officials.

The meeting explored ways to strengthen development cooperation and highlighted the decades-long partnership, especially in financing key projects in Tunisia.

Al-Marshad also met with Tunisian Minister of Health Dr. Mustapha Ferjani to discuss ongoing health projects funded by the Saudi fund and potential support for the Tunisian health sector.


Beit Hail Festival showcases regional heritage, attracts tourists

Updated 28 June 2025
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Beit Hail Festival showcases regional heritage, attracts tourists

RIYADH: Now in its fourth year, the Beit Hail Festival has established itself as a prominent cultural, tourism, and entertainment event, attracting many visitors to the region.

The festival showcases traditional handicrafts that reflect Hail’s historical roots and offers interactive activities and performances, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

These elements celebrate the region’s heritage and community identity while blending tradition with modern touches, the SPA reported.

Held under the patronage of the Hail governor and supported by his deputy, the two-week festival aims to highlight local folkloric heritage and strengthen national identity.

It includes artistic performances, traditional crafts, authentic foods, and tourism-focused events aligned with Vision 2030 goals.

Over the past three editions, the festival has drawn steady attendance from local and international visitors, especially during summer holidays.

Visitors appreciate the diverse pavilions, cultural displays, performances, and art exhibitions, according to the report.

The festival also helps promote community participation and support the local economy by offering opportunities and events for productive families and small businesses.

Samia Suleiman Al-Jabri, associate professor of modern history at Hail University, said handicrafts remain a vital part of Hail’s heritage, preserving ancient traditions through crafts such as sadu weaving, pottery, wickerwork, and other arts rooted in Bedouin culture.

Al-Jabri added that over its three editions, the festival has organized events and launched numerous initiatives and workshops to document and safeguard traditional crafts, teach them to younger generations, and connect artisans directly with the public.


Kingdom arrests 13,532 illegals in one week

Updated 28 June 2025
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Kingdom arrests 13,532 illegals in one week

Riyadh: Saudi authorities arrested 13,532 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 7,903 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,744 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,885 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,892 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 67 percent were Ethiopian, 31 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 34 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 17 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.