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:
Federal Judge Disqualifies Perkins Coie from Defending Jumio in FaceTec Patent Case
A federal judge has disqualified Perkins Coie LLP from representing Jumio in a patent infringement suit filed by FaceTec, citing a conflict of interest due to Perkins Coie’s prior legal work for FaceTec on related IP matters. The court ruled that the firm’s previous advisory role on FaceTec’s intellectual property created a substantial risk of confidential information misuse. Jumio must appoint new counsel by April 30, 2025. The case, centered on FaceTec’s patented 3D liveness detection technology, highlights ethical obligations in legal representation within a very competitive tech IP environment.
NEXT Biometrics Secures Major Order for Financial Inclusion Project in Nigeria
NEXT Biometrics has secured a NOK 1.7 million order for its FAP 20 fingerprint sensors to support a financial inclusion initiative in Nigeria, with follow-on orders expected to reach NOK 10–17 million over the next year. The sensors will be used in biometric-enabled POS devices, building on the company’s prior deployments in the region, including Nigeria’s first certified biometric POS device in 2020. The deal reinforces growing demand for secure biometric authentication across Africa amid broader regional efforts to expand financial access and adopt ICAO-aligned digital ID standards.
Onsemi Launches 30-Meter Range Depth Sensors for Advanced Facial Recognition
Onsemi has launched its Hyperlux ID family of indirect time-of-flight (iToF) sensors, offering depth sensing up to 30 meters—four times the current industry standard. The AF0130 and AF0131 models combine high-precision depth sensing with monochrome imaging in a single device, reducing system complexity and cost. Built with global shutter and back-side illuminated CMOS technology, the sensors support up to 200 MHz modulation and dual laser-driver controls with eye safety features. Targeted applications include facial recognition, robotics, industrial automation, and biometric access control.
FMCSA Implements Biometric ID Verification for Trucking Industry Registrants
A regulatory body for the trucking industry has introduced a new biometric identity verification process, developed with IDEMIA, for all new applicants registering for a USDOT number via the Unified Registration System. Applicants must now complete smartphone-based identity proofing, including document capture and selfie-based facial recognition, to prevent fraud and impersonation. Piloted in 2023, the system received broad acceptance and is intended solely for registration security—not surveillance. Returning users with verified identities can bypass the process in future sessions.
Blend and Prove Partner to Streamline Digital Banking Onboarding
Blend Labs has partnered with Prove Identity to integrate Prove’s device-based Pre-Fill identity verification into Blend’s Consumer Banking platform, aiming to streamline and secure customer onboarding. The solution verifies users via their mobile devices and auto-fills application forms, reducing friction and fraud risk. The move aligns with industry trends favoring passwordless, user-friendly onboarding experiences amid rising fraud concerns. Prove’s phone-centric technologies are used by over 1,000 organizations globally, and this partnership extends its reach into digital banking through Blend’s lending and deposit account services.
HID Demonstrates Mobile-First Approach at ISC West 2025
At ISC West 2025, HID showcased major updates to its access control solutions, emphasizing a mobile-first strategy and reduced reliance on physical credentials. The Signo platform now supports broader credential types and deeper integration with mobile wallets, including Google Wallet. HID also highlighted biometric capabilities like fingerprint recognition and liveness detection, along with expanded mobile access features tailored to diverse organizational needs. These advancements reflect HID’s ongoing push toward credential flexibility, enhanced user convenience, and secure mobile-based authentication.
AI-Generated Deepfake Database Breach Exposes Thousands of Explicit Images
A major data breach at South Korea-based AI company GenNomis exposed over 93,000 AI-generated images, including explicit deepfakes of minors and celebrities, due to a publicly accessible, unsecured database. Discovered by cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler, the 47.8 GB leak included user prompts and links to generated content, revealing serious privacy and ethical lapses in AI image generation. GenNomis, which offers face-swapping and image creation tools, has since taken the database offline. The incident highlights urgent concerns around data security, consent, and the exploitation risks tied to unregulated AI content platforms.
UK’s Disclosure and Barring Service Aims for Digital Identity Solutions in 2028 Plan
The UK’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is undertaking a digital transformation to modernize its identity verification process, as detailed in its newly released “DBS 2028 strategy.” Moving away from traditional checks and controversial biometric methods, DBS will adopt certified digital identity service providers (IDSPs) to improve processing efficiency and user experience. The initiative aligns with the UK government’s broader digitization efforts, including the GOV.UK One Login platform. This shift reflects a global trend toward digital identity solutions, with similar efforts underway in countries like Belgium.
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April 3, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
