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:
Norway Launches €10M Procurement for New e-Gates at Oslo Airport
Norway’s national police procurement authority has launched a competitive tender for biometric e-Gates at Oslo Gardermoen Airport, with an estimated contract value of up to €10 million. The initial contract, valued between €4–5 million, includes delivery and maintenance of ABC systems integrating biometric sensors and optical readers. Suppliers must meet ISO 27001, 9001, and 14001 standards, and proposals will be evaluated on quality, cost, and environmental impact. Optional components include accessibility adaptations, centralized databases, and modular upgrades. Up to five candidates will be shortlisted, with requests to participate due by May 13, 2025, under EU procurement rules.
Illinois Appeals Court Reinstates BIPA Lawsuits Over Hand-Scanning Time Clocks
An Illinois appellate court has reinstated two class-action lawsuits from healthcare workers alleging BIPA violations over the use of hand-scan time clocks. The court rejected the employers’ claim that the systems were exempt under HIPAA, citing insufficient evidence and remanding the cases for further proceedings. The ruling underscores the burden on employers to prove healthcare-related exemptions when biometric data is used for administrative tasks like time tracking. With BIPA allowing damages of up to $5,000 per violation and recent legal interpretations broadening liability, the case highlights the growing risks of non-compliance in biometric workplace systems.
Hair Care Company Faces Illinois Lawsuit Over Biometric Data Collection
Living Proof Inc. is facing a class action lawsuit in Illinois for allegedly violating BIPA by collecting facial geometry data through its online Hair Quiz and Haircare Advisor tools without proper notice or consent. The suit, filed by Giselle Rodriguez, claims the AI-powered applications captured and stored biometric data from user-uploaded selfies without meeting legal requirements for disclosure, retention policies, or written consent. The case seeks statutory damages and reflects heightened scrutiny of biometric data use in consumer platforms. Recent amendments to BIPA may limit financial exposure, but their retroactive applicability remains uncertain and could influence the court’s ruling.
Romanian Tech Firm Launches Retail Biometrics Platform in Bucharest
Power Dynamic Technology has launched a suite of biometric solutions in Bucharest, introducing facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and real-time identity verification for use in retail and banking environments. Designed for high-traffic settings, the systems enable card-free transactions and fraud prevention while integrating AI analytics to support operational and marketing insights. The platform complies with GDPR and includes algorithmic fairness safeguards and privacy-by-design features. Adoption is growing among retailers and financial institutions, though cost and integration remain barriers for smaller firms.
NEXT Biometrics Revenue Dips on India Aadhaar Program Delays, Pipeline Strong
NEXT Biometrics reported NOK 7 million (approximately $656 thousand USD) in Q1 2025 revenue, impacted by certification delays tied to India’s Aadhaar program following new anti-spoofing requirements. The disruption affected both Indian and Chinese customers but reduced short-term competition in the region. Despite the dip, NEXT holds a NOK 400 million sales pipeline and NOK 69 million in confirmed Q2–Q3 deliveries with gross margins above 50 percent. The company is advancing deals in Africa and expanding into consumer electronics via a smartphone partnership. With its certified FAP20 sensor and upcoming FAP30, NEXT aims to rebound and meet its NOK 180–200 million FY2025 target.
Turkey Intensifies Crackdown on Dissent with Facial Recognition Surveillance
Turkey is escalating its use of facial recognition to identify and detain protesters following the arrest of opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu, prompting widespread criticism over state surveillance. AI-powered systems now scan crowds in real time, cross-referencing faces with social media and government records. Over 1,400 individuals have been detained, including students, as police reportedly force protesters to remove masks to aid identification. The deployment reflects growing authoritarian control under President Erdoğan and raises alarm over the use of biometric technology to suppress dissent.
Iraqi Authorities Explore Facial Recognition for Voter Verification
Iraq is preparing to introduce facial recognition in its 2025 parliamentary elections, integrating the technology with its existing biometric voter registration system to improve security and reduce fraud. The Independent High Electoral Commission has established over 1,000 registration centers leveraging the national ID system and aims to prevent duplicate registrations and verification failures seen in past elections. The move follows electoral controversies in 2018 and 2021 and is supported by funding directives from the Prime Minister. Additional measures include international observers, electronic voting, and oversight committees to bolster transparency and restore public trust in the electoral process.
France to Introduce Digital Identity Cards via Mobile App in 2025
France will launch digital national identity cards via the France Identité mobile app in mid-2025, allowing citizens to verify their identity and access public and private services using smartphones. The app, which already supports digital driving licences and healthcare credentials, will enable secure authentication and attribute verification without unnecessary data disclosure. The rollout builds on France’s 2021 chip-based ID card program and aligns with EU efforts to standardize digital identity systems.
Certizen Becomes Qualified vLEI Issuer to Advance Digital Identity in Greater Bay Area
Certizen Technology has been approved by GLEIF as a Qualified vLEI Issuer, authorizing the Hong Kong-based firm to issue verifiable Legal Entity Identifiers for secure, tamper-resistant organizational authentication. The vLEI builds on traditional LEIs with cryptographic credentials for real-time, cross-border identity verification. Certizen’s QVI status supports deployments across sectors like education, healthcare, and ESG reporting, with pilots underway in diploma verification and insurer data sharing. The move strengthens digital trust infrastructure in the Greater Bay Area and aligns with growing demand for verifiable identity tools amid rising AI-driven fraud and global scrutiny over biometric data practices.
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April 11, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
