With more than 6,500companies from 180 countries, GITEX Global 2025 has established itself as the world’s largest technology trade show. In this setting, the Emirati government showcased its commitment to artificial intelligence, digital identity, and automation as the cornerstones of its economic transformation.
During the event, Dr.Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of AI at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism(DET), stated in a press conference that “the goal of this initiative is to enhance the user experience,” referring to the ongoing transition toward the use of Mobile ID within the banking system.
For years, banks confirmed transactions and verified user identities through temporary codes sent by text message or email. However, these methods became easy targets for cybercriminals using phishing or SIM-swapping techniques to intercept them.
Since July 2025, banks in the United Arab Emirates have begun the gradual phase-out of one-time passwords (OTP) sent via SMS or email, replacing them with more secure authentication mechanisms. The new Central Bank regulation, effective March 2026, requires all financial institutions to adopt mobile-based authentication methods, eliminating the use of temporary codes sent through vulnerable channels.
As Guillaume Bourcy explained, “this shift responds to the need to strengthen financial security and move toward a digital identity ecosystem that operates in real time and in an interoperable manner.”
This transition is part of a broader digital identity strategy led by the UAE PASS initiative, which enables citizens and residents to access more than 10,000public and private services through a single verified credential on their mobile devices.
Aligned with this global trend toward more modern, user-centric identification systems, Plusmo is driving the development of interoperable and secure ecosystems that integrate mobile authentication and real-time validation.
Through its Protect Identities suite, the company empowers organizations to deliver digital access experiences that are secure, seamless, and compliant with emerging global identity standards.
Dubai is setting the course for a growing global trend: the convergence of digital identity and telecommunications to build a new layer of trust in the digital economy.
