Personal data breaches are multiplying, and phishing techniques are becoming more sophisticated. The European regulatory framework is evolving with the gradual implementation of the eIDAS 2.0 regulation. Protecting and monitoring your digital identity in 2024 is no longer just about choosing a good password.
The topic now relates to how browsers handle cookies, the emergence of passwordless access keys, and the new obligations for platforms regarding identity verification.
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Fingerprinting and third-party cookies: what browsers are changing for your privacy
Since 2023, Chrome and Firefox have strengthened their protections against fingerprinting and cross-site tracking by default. The gradual blocking of third-party cookies reduces the passive collection surface of your digital identity. In practice, this means that advertising networks and trackers have a harder time reconstructing your browsing profile from one site to another.
This evolution has a concrete downside. Some services that rely on single sign-on (SSO) or analytics scripts may malfunction when protections are at their maximum. Field reports vary on this point: some users report unexpected disconnections on administrative sites, while others notice no changes.
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To take advantage of these protections without losing comfort, specialized tools for monitoring digital identity allow you to centralize alerts and check the exposure of your data. Platforms like identitools.fr gather several diagnostic functions to assess the visibility of your personal information online.
The reflex to adopt: check your browser’s privacy settings after each major update. Default settings change regularly, and active protection can become disabled after a patch.
Passkeys and passwordless authentication: where the deployment stands
The FIDO alliance has been promoting access keys (passkeys) as a replacement for traditional passwords for several years. In 2024, major operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows) will natively support this technology. The principle: a cryptographic key linked to your device replaces the username/password pair.
Feedback on large-scale deployments remains mixed. Microsoft has shared reports of its passwordless deployments in enterprises between 2023 and 2024, showing a notable reduction in incidents related to credential theft. The available data does not yet allow for conclusions about actual adoption by the general public.
The main barrier remains compatibility. Not all sites and services yet offer passkey authentication. And losing the device that stores the key poses a recovery access problem that traditional password managers do not encounter.
What this changes for the protection of your accounts
Passkeys eliminate the risk of password phishing, as there is no secret to enter into a form. However, they do not protect against social engineering that targets other vectors (phone calls, fake bank advisors). The security of your digital identity relies on multiple layers, not just one technology.
State digital identity and eIDAS 2.0 regulation: upcoming obligations
The eIDAS 2.0 regulation, published in 2024 by the European Union, requires major platforms to recognize state digital identities for certain procedures starting in 2024-2025. France is among the countries in the accelerated deployment phase of this system.
In practical terms, users will be able to prove their identity online without transmitting unnecessary personal data. Instead of providing a complete copy of an identity document to a car rental service, for example, the digital identity wallet will only share the strictly necessary information (legal age, validity of the license).
This approach, known as “selective disclosure,” changes the logic of personal data protection. Until now, each registration for an online service required entrusting a batch of information that remained stored (and potentially exposed) on the provider’s servers. The European wallet aims to reduce the amount of personal data scattered across dozens of platforms.
Professional identity theft: a blind spot
Major professional platforms like LinkedIn or GitHub have reported a significant increase in professional identity theft since 2023. Fake profiles with stolen CVs, fake recruiters, fake freelancers: these attacks target reputation and credibility more than bank accounts.
Regularly monitoring the results associated with your name on search engines remains the most direct method to spot a fraudulent profile. Some digital identity monitoring services automate this task by sending alerts as soon as a new account using your name or photo appears.
Concrete monitoring and protection measures in 2024
Beyond technological and regulatory developments, protecting your digital identity relies on verifiable actions. Here are the actions that have a measurable impact on the security of your data and accounts:
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts that offer it, favoring an authentication app over SMS, which is more vulnerable to interception
- Check the privacy settings of each social network after each platform update, as default settings often change to the user’s disadvantage
- Use a password manager to generate unique identifiers for each service, limiting the domino effect in case of a breach on a single site
- Regularly consult breach databases (like Have I Been Pwned) to see if your email addresses appear in compromised lists
These practices do not guarantee total protection. No single measure is sufficient against constantly evolving attack techniques. The combination of multiple layers of security, from browser configuration to active monitoring of your name, is the only realistic approach.
The landscape of digital identity in 2024 is characterized by a tension between increasingly effective protection tools and diversifying threats. The deployment of eIDAS 2.0 and the widespread adoption of passkeys should ultimately reduce the attack surface. The transition period, where old and new systems coexist, remains the time when individual vigilance matters most.