Navigating Biometric Innovations and Privacy Policies

Published Date : 11/1/2025 

Explore the latest advancements in biometrics and digital identity, including policy changes, reusable IDs, and privacy-protecting technologies. From enhanced airport security to age verification for online platforms, this article covers it all. 

Innovations in biometrics and digital identity are increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives. These technologies are being integrated into various sectors, from airport security checks using facial recognition to age verification for restricted content online. Companies like Signicat, SITA, Indicio, and iDAKTO are piloting digital wallets and travel credentials, while others like Jumio, Persona, and Sumsub are introducing reusable digital identity solutions. These advancements are often backed by privacy-protecting technologies that combine biometrics and cryptography.

Policy changes are driving the integration of biometrics into various systems. For instance, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that biometric entry-exit will be live at all U.S. borders and points of entry by Boxing Day. This move, which removes limits on the number of airports and exemptions for certain age groups, unifies CBP’s facial recognition operations and extends them to all foreigners entering and leaving the country. This aligns with global efforts to allow travelers to use biometrics instead of physical travel documents.

Arun Vemury, director of DHS S&T’s Biometric and Identity Technology Center, discussed the challenges of implementing biometrics in various scenarios, such as matching face biometrics of people inside vehicles at border crossings. He highlighted that while it is easier to get people in the driver's seat, it is more challenging to capture biometrics from passengers in the back of a minivan.

The latest EUDI Wallet Large-Scale Pilot, Aptitude, brings together companies like Signicat, SITA, Indicio, and iDAKTO to work on digital travel credentials. The pilot will explore the use of passport-based and reusable DTCs for booking flights, train tickets, and hotels with a single credential. This initiative aims to streamline the travel experience and enhance security.

GET Group has integrated its universal verifier software with readers from HID to support identity verification with mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) and Utah’s SEDI. The verifier uses native device biometrics and is compatible with the mDOC standard, demonstrating the company's commitment to advancing mDL technology.

Biometrics providers are also rushing into the reusable digital identity market. Jumio has launched selfie.DONE, a solution for fast onboarding and re-verification using face biometrics. Persona has introduced Connect to help enterprises build data-sharing networks, and Sumsub has partnered with Binance to bring Web2 credentials to Web3 applications.

Ping Identity has integrated biometric multi-factor authentication with cryptographic proofs from Keyless after acquiring the Zero-Knowledge Biometrics provider. This acquisition brings enhanced fraud protection and injection attack detection to enterprise CIAM, workforce, and B2B use cases.

Homomorphic encryption technology, developed by Mobai, is being explored for biometric template protection. This technology enables centralized biometrics processing without the data security challenges that typically accompany it. The Norwegian Data Protection Authority has also reported on the software and the problem it addresses.

Age-gating of websites and online platforms is another significant shift affecting consumers worldwide. The 2025 Online Age Assurance Market Report & Buyers Guide from Biometric Update and Goode Intelligence forecasts more than 4.5 billion age verifications by 2027. Age assurance requirements have led to a significant drop in traffic to pornography websites that comply, according to Aylo. However, some of this drop is attributed to adults using VPNs, and some is reduced traffic from children, which is the intended outcome.

Verifymy COO Andy Lulham discussed the myth that an age check is the same as an identity check on a recent episode of the Biometric Update Podcast. He also addressed Ofcom’s approach to enforcing the OSA and the necessary friction for age assurance. Google has introduced age assurance to the Play Store to stay ahead of legislation in multiple American states. The company offers various age check methods, including facial age estimation, and Verifymy provides email-based age inference.

Vape vendor Juul is looking to make a comeback in the vaping market with its PodID authentication technology, which uses a third-party age verification provider. A survey from IKE Tech shows strong support for age verification at the point of use among vapers.

Other top biometrics news includes the participation of companies like IDverse and ConnectID in Australia’s trial of digital identity and open banking to improve the property rental applications process. Mali has also launched its new biometric passport, with Emptech revealed as the supplier.

Please let us know in the comments below or through social media if you see any videos, podcasts, or other content we should share with those in biometrics and digital identity. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is biometric entry-exit and when will it be implemented at U.S. borders?

A: Biometric entry-exit is a security program that uses biometrics to verify the identity of travelers entering and leaving the country. It will be live at all U.S. borders and points of entry by Boxing Day, as announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Q: How does the EUDI Wallet Large-Scale Pilot, Aptitude, work?

A: The EUDI Wallet Large-Scale Pilot, Aptitude, involves companies like Signicat, SITA, Indicio, and iDAKTO working on digital travel credentials. These credentials can be used for booking flights, train tickets, and hotels with a single credential, enhancing travel convenience and security.

Q: What is the significance of homomorphic encryption in biometrics?

A: Homomorphic encryption, developed by Mobai, enables centralized biometrics processing without the data security challenges that typically come with it. It allows for secure and efficient biometric template protection.

Q: How is age verification impacting traffic to pornography websites?

A: Age verification requirements have led to a significant drop in traffic to compliant pornography websites, according to Aylo. Some of this drop is attributed to adults using VPNs, and some is reduced traffic from children, which is the intended outcome.

Q: What is Jumio's selfie.DONE and how does it work?

A: Jumio's selfie.DONE is a solution for fast onboarding and re-verification using face biometrics. It allows for quick and secure identity verification, making it ideal for various digital identity applications. 

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