The Biometrics Institute’s latest Annual Industry Survey reports a notable increase in the use of biometrics in policing and law enforcement. While artificial intelligence (AI) and digital identity remain the top areas for anticipated development, respondents signalled significant shifts ahead for policing, law enforcement and national identity. The Institute frames these trends as reinforcing the need for responsible, ethical use and continued public education to build trust.
Key Findings
Deepfake technology remains one of the most pressing threats to biometric recognition, with 85 percent of survey respondents identifying it as a major concern. To help address these risks, the Institute highlights its updated Privacy Guidelines, which provide practical direction on responsible data use. Privacy worries continue to dominate, with individuals most concerned about their biometric data being shared without their knowledge.
While face recognition is still the most widely deployed modality, respondents anticipate that multimodal systems will see the fastest growth in the coming years, as combining multiple biometric signals is viewed as a stronger defense against spoofing and deepfake manipulation. For additional community discussion, see the Institute’s events such as the upcoming On the Pulse Conversation and recent industry coverage on multimodal approaches to deepfake defense.
Barriers, Resources, and Building Trust
Privacy and data protection concerns remain the most significant barrier to market growth, cited by nearly half of industry professionals. Political, cultural and social issues are also rising factors, as are legislation and governance. To support practitioners, the Institute highlights new and updated resources: the complimentary Fundamentals of Biometrics online course for foundational learning, refreshed Privacy Guidelines, and newly released Procurement Guidelines to help organisations acquire biometric technology responsibly. The Institute also reiterates its Three Laws of Biometrics as a framework for ethical use.
Acceptance of biometrics, respondents affirmed, relies heavily on public education, with 84 percent agreeing that citizen education is essential to fostering trust. As Chief Executive Isabelle Moeller put it, “Education is paramount to building public trust in biometrics,” adding, “We are committed to equipping individuals and organisations with the knowledge to understand and use biometrics responsibly.”
A summary of the 2025 findings is available to the public, with the full report accessible to members. Readers can explore the Institute’s survey page for materials and updates.
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By Ji-seo Kim
