Biometrics: Boosting Security and Trust While Sparking Privacy Worries

Published Date : 10/25/2025 

Biometric technologies are increasingly being used to enhance trust and security in various applications, from national IDs to online transactions. However, these advancements come with significant privacy concerns, especially when biometric data collection is compelled or involuntary. 

Biometric technologies are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of trust in various applications, from national IDs to online transactions. These technologies are not only growing in established use cases but are also finding new applications. However, the collection of personal biometric data, especially when compelled or involuntary, raises significant surveillance concerns. This article explores both the benefits and the privacy issues associated with biometric technologies.

The use of biometrics is expanding in many areas, from binding digital IDs to their rightful owners to performing liveness checks for dating sites. These technologies are also enabling AI agents to perform transactions with a level of trust that was previously unattainable. However, the collection of biometric data, particularly when it is compelled or involuntary, is a cause for concern.

In Colombia, the data protection regulator has ordered World to cease its operations in the country, where there are nearly 2 million verified World ID users. The SIC found that World has been offering more incentives than transparency to people whose biometrics it collects. This lack of transparency is a significant issue, as it undermines trust in the system.

The tech industry group CCIA has also raised concerns about Texas' app store level age checks, arguing that the plan is likely to fail due to data privacy breaches. One of the alleged failures is the accuracy of facial age estimation, but the supporting statistic from NIST is outdated, and the new figure is significantly better.

Automated license plate reader-maker Flock and Amazon’s Ring have partnered to share data, allowing law enforcement agencies that use Flock’s investigative platforms to request footage from homeowners. Civil liberties advocates and some lawmakers have expressed concern over the lack of safeguards around this expanding, cross-jurisdictional surveillance network.

Americans are becoming more familiar with mass surveillance through experience rather than transparency. This is evident in the interest intelligence fusion centers have taken in recent peaceful political protests and the refusal of DHS leadership to answer questions from Congress about its use of drones, facial recognition, and social media monitoring.

The practices represent a shift in values closer to those of the United Arab Emirates, where the Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) agency will use patrol cars with live facial recognition to identify people overstaying their visa or violating residency rules.

In the UK, the opposition has raised concerns about the planned national digital ID, citing the potential for mass surveillance as one of several likely and disastrous outcomes. Clear communication about the actual implementation of the system might help alleviate some of these concerns.

The growth of online interactions with credentials anchored in biometrics continues unabated. Juniper Research forecasts that the digital identity market will be an $80 billion global market by 2030, driven by new regulations and credentials.

Vietnam has stated its intention to issue a digital ID to every adult in the country by the end of next year. The government also expects all citizens to have payment accounts and for all government services to be online by then.

Hopae’s digital ID orchestration platform has been certified for OpenID Connect, confirming its interoperability with established identity schemes and the forthcoming EUDI Wallet. The company will also lead sessions at the Internet Identity Workshop on interoperability, standards, and real-time identity verification.

Vouched Growth Lead for Know Your Agent Corey Breier tells Biometric Update that the early experience of users of its new AgentShield KYA solution backs up its suspicions: AI agents are already on your site. As people start using AI agents to complete transactions online, they will need to be able to trace them back to the end-user, from biometrics through authorization.

Age checks could catalyze digital ID adoption, according to Luciditi CPO Dan Johnson. He makes the case for the advantages of adding age assurance to apps by integrating a component, rather than building a standalone branded app.

Match Group will require face biometric verification of U.S. Tinder users for liveness detection, powered by FaceTec, to reduce impersonation and dishonesty on the platform. The Face Check system is separate from the ID Check system (also powered by FaceTec) and is performed directly within the onboarding flow.

In conclusion, while biometric technologies offer significant benefits in enhancing trust and security, they also raise important privacy concerns. Clear communication and robust safeguards are essential to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and ethically. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What are the primary benefits of using biometric technologies?

A: Biometric technologies enhance security and trust by uniquely identifying individuals, reducing fraud, and improving the user experience in various applications such as national IDs, online transactions, and identity verification.

Q: What are the main privacy concerns associated with biometric data collection?

A: The primary privacy concerns include the potential for mass surveillance, lack of transparency, and the risk of data breaches, especially when biometric data collection is compelled or involuntary.

Q: How is the digital identity market expected to grow in the next few years?

A: Juniper Research forecasts that the digital identity market will be an $80 billion global market by 2030, driven by new regulations and credentials.

Q: What is the role of AI agents in online transactions?

A: AI agents are increasingly being used to perform transactions online. They need to be traceable back to the end-user, and biometric technologies play a crucial role in ensuring this traceability and security.

Q: How are age checks related to digital ID adoption?

A: Age checks can catalyze digital ID adoption by providing a reliable and secure way to verify users' ages, which is crucial for various online services and platforms. 

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