Welcome to ID Tech’s digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
USCIS Demands Biometric Data from H-1B Visa Holders in New Policy Shift
USCIS has begun issuing RFEs to H-1B applicants requesting biometric data and updated addresses, citing “potentially adverse information” without explanation. Legal experts note this is a significant departure from standard practice, raising transparency and due process concerns. The move coincides with DHS efforts to expand biometric surveillance and increase fees, prompting uncertainty among employers and immigration attorneys.
Ukraine Expands Digital ID App to Include Online Vehicle Registration Renewals
Ukraine is beta testing a new Diia app feature allowing car owners to request vehicle registration certificate replacements entirely online. The update, part of broader e-governance efforts, will also support license plate replacement requests. Service eligibility is limited to individual users and select vehicle types, with only one transaction permitted per year. Physical items will still be delivered by mail. The move follows a major cyberattack on Diia earlier this year and aligns with ongoing efforts to decentralize and secure Ukraine’s digital infrastructure.
Indonesia Health Agency Renews Major Digital ID Data Access Agreement
BPJS Kesehatan has renewed its data access agreement with Indonesia’s civil registry agency Dukcapil, maintaining its role as the top institutional user of national ID data systems. The agreement supports integration of demographic data into the National Health Insurance program, which now covers 279 million people. BPJS Kesehatan averages 700,000 daily queries and uses tools like facial recognition (FRISTA) to streamline authentication. The renewal aligns with Indonesia’s broader digital ID rollout, including the IKD platform, and ongoing AI-driven efforts to enhance public services and reduce fraud.
Vietnam to Extend Digital ID System to Foreign Nationals in July 2025
Vietnam will begin issuing VNeID digital ID accounts to foreign nationals starting July 1, 2025, offering two account levels based on verification requirements. The move extends the platform’s reach beyond the 62 million domestic accounts already issued and supports expanded use in healthcare, banking, border control, and digital government services. Level 1 accounts require app-based passport registration, while Level 2 accounts mandate in-person biometric verification. Organizations must use VNeID for online public services from July onward. Integration with banks and digital signature tools continues as part of Vietnam’s push toward nationwide digital identity adoption.
African Firms Partner to Merge Biometrics with Geospatial ID Verification
AfriGIS and iPulse Systems have partnered to integrate geospatial intelligence with biometric authentication, offering an interoperable identity verification solution for African markets. The platform combines AfriGIS’s location data services with iPulse’s cloud-based biometric tools, aiming to reduce onboarding friction, enhance fraud prevention, and improve compliance. Designed for scalability and ease of deployment, the solution features a flat-fee licensing model and supports sectors like digital banking and logistics. The partnership targets both enterprise and underserved markets, with a focus on regulatory alignment and expanded access to secure verification technologies.
Mijas Issues Tender for Cloud-Based E-Administration Platform with Biometric Signature Devices
The City of Mijas in Spain has issued a public tender for a cloud-hosted e-administration platform that includes 15 biometric signature terminals, biometric software, and related consulting, training, and migration services. Structured as a mixed contract, the project reflects Spain’s broader shift toward secure digital identity infrastructure in municipal governance. The platform will support identity verification and document authentication, aligning with European trends in e-government modernization.
Jumio Announces AI-Powered Fraud Detection System
Jumio has launched its Cross-Transaction Risk platform, a tool that detects fraud by analyzing user behavior across multiple identity verification sessions. The platform increases fraud detection rates—reportedly by 28 percent in early deployments—by identifying repeat patterns missed by single-session systems. It leverages biometric analysis, liveness detection, and AI to combat threats like camera injection and deepfakes. The system operates within Jumio’s privacy-first network, with over 400 participating organizations contributing anonymized data. It forms part of the Jumio Identity Reputation suite and supports continuous monitoring and automated risk scoring for improved threat response.
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April 22, 2025 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
