Biometric ID card contracts awarded to Madras Security Printing in India have showcased the nation’s growing influence on the global digital identity market. Furthermore, the recent merger of ForgeRock and Ping Identity has had a significant impact on the IAM market. Alongside these developments, the mainstream adoption of biometric technology has faced challenges, as demonstrated by a marketing appearance by PopID.
In a recent pilot project, air passengers traveling from Finland to the UK or Croatia were able to utilize digital travel credentials for border control. By registering through a mobile app and submitting their passport and a selfie, participants could pass through immigration using only their smartphones.
In Kuwait, over a million people have already had their fingerprints registered as part of a plan to build a comprehensive biometric database for all individuals over 18 years old. The aim of this initiative is to enhance security measures and enable digital identity access to public services.
Cameroon launched an internet platform earlier this year to enroll biometrics for visa applicants. However, the system recently encountered technical issues, causing disruption in several countries. On a positive note, Burkina Faso has joined Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in launching an online portal for visa applications.
Under a new contract, Madras Security Printing will supply one million pre-personalized ID cards for Ethiopia’s digital identity program. These cards will include biometric data and will be used for accessing public services and facilitating the onboarding process for new bank accounts. However, concerns surrounding data protection have been raised due to Madras Security Printing’s selection, despite a pre-existing deal with an Indian supplier.
India’s government is currently in talks with Kenya, Mozambique, and Namibia to deploy digital payment systems based on the UPI platform. Utilizing the national digital ID, these digital payments are expected to promote greater financial inclusion. This move is part of India’s broader strategy to export its digital public infrastructure.
Following the acquisition of ForgeRock by Thoma Bravo, the private equity firm merged it with Ping Identity, resulting in a combined entity that aims to provide faster delivery of digital identity services to enterprise customers. The branding of the merged company will primarily feature Ping’s name.
Social media platform X recently announced upcoming changes to its privacy policy, generating concerns among users and sparking connections to its ongoing BIPA lawsuit. In a related development, it was reported that X was potentially introducing selfie biometrics for identity verification, raising questions about the storage of sensitive data.
PopID, a company specializing in biometric retail payment technology, faced challenges when showcasing its product at a California university. Students without alternative payment methods expressed dissatisfaction, while privacy advocates have voiced concerns over the growing utilization of biometrics in the retail industry.
Veridas CEO Eduardo Azanza emphasized the role of NIST’s guidance in ensuring ethical development of AI and biometrics. In a guest post for Biometric Update, Azanza highlighted how adherence to these guidelines can enhance businesses’ transparency, alignment with international standards, and reliable technical architecture.
Instances of deepfake fraud are becoming increasingly prevalent, with recent incidents leading to the disruption of criminal rings in places like Hong Kong. However, experts warn that technologies designed to detect deepfakes need further development to address their demographic weaknesses.
Readers are encouraged to provide thought leadership, podcasts, and other content related to biometrics and the digital identity community through comments or social media platforms.
