The Government is undertaking exploratory work to determine whether a digital identity framework “could provide meaningful benefits for Bermuda”, the Minister of Economy and Labour said.

Jason Hayward told the House of Assembly today that the exercise is also geared at gathering information and understanding international best practices.

He said as Bermuda modernises public services and support greater digital transformation across the economy, it is important that the Government considers how residents and businesses can interact with services in a manner that is secure, efficient and fit for the future.

Mr Hayward said having digital identity is one of the tools being explored internationally to achieve such objectives.

He told the House the Government recognised that digital identity was a significant public policy issue requiring careful consideration, with benefits balanced against privacy, governance, accessibility and public trust.

Mr Hayward said transparency and consultation would be “central”.

“Residents, businesses, industry stakeholders and other members of the community will have opportunities to learn about digital identity, ask questions, provide feedback, and contribute to the discussion as this work progresses.”

The Government will issue a Request for Supplier Qualifications on Monday to identify organisations with relevant experience and gain a clearer understanding of legal issues and other considerations associated with digital identity solutions.

Mr Hayward told the House that a digital identity was a secure and trusted means of verifying a person's identity when accessing services, online or in person.

He said people are often required to repeatedly provide documentation such as passports to multiple organisations to verify their identity.

“A digital identity framework has the potential to streamline this process by enabling individuals to securely confirm who they are through trusted digital credentials,” he said.

The Government’s fintech strategy, published in March, said the Bermuda Monetary Authority was in the final stages of assessing digital identity service providers for the island’s fintech industry.

However, in a letter to stakeholders in August, the body said the responses it received had raised questions over cost, demand and whether customers and businesses would adopt the technology.

The BMA said the main obstacle was not the lack of a domestic licensing framework, but uncertainty over how digital identity systems — particularly those operating under overseas rules — could be used by Bermuda financial institutions.

• To see the minister’s remarks, see Related Media

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