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:
Malaysia Moves Toward Expanded Biometric Collection for MyKad Holders with New Bill
Malaysia’s Dewan Rakyat has passed the National Registration (Amendment) Bill 2025, which would require MyKad holders to provide ten fingerprints, iris scans, and facial images for identity verification. The bill, which still awaits Dewan Negara approval and Royal assent, expands the Home Minister’s regulatory powers over biometric data collection and use. Authorities report 795 arrests for National Registration Department offences between 2021 and August 2025, including 326 involving counterfeit or misused IDs. The initiative builds on the MyDigital ID program, now at 2.8 million users, and will integrate with the MyGov Malaysia app. A next-generation ID card will replace the version introduced in 2012, with upgraded security measures to combat fraud.
IDEX Biometrics Cuts Operating Costs by 52 Percent as It Refocuses on Access Control
IDEX Biometrics reduced operating expenses by 52 percent year-over-year in the first half of 2025, bringing costs down to $5.2 million. The reduction follows restructuring under CEO Anders Storbråten, who shifted the company’s focus from biometric payment cards toward the access control market, anchored by the IDEX Multiuse Access Card. CFO Kristian Flaten stepped down on June 30, with Storbråten assuming CFO duties. While revenue and profit figures were not disclosed, the company aims to position itself for growth in secure physical access applications while maintaining a presence in payment cards.
UIDAI Maintains OTP as Part of Aadhaar’s Multi-Method Authentication Framework
The Unique Identification Authority of India continues to offer multiple Aadhaar authentication methods, including OTP, biometrics, and demographic verification, with no plan to phase out OTP-based verification. OTPs remain widely used for accessibility, though factors such as SMS delays and network issues can affect performance. Biometric verification is being expanded to offer alternatives and reduce transaction failures, complementing—not replacing—OTP use. Service providers are encouraged to adopt the methods that best fit their operational needs, ensuring inclusion and reliability.
Report: Meta Developing Facial Recognition Feature for Next-Gen Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
According to reporting from The Information and The Verge, Meta is working on a “super-sensing” mode for upcoming Ray-Ban smart glasses that could recognize people by name. The feature is not available on current models, which do not have built-in facial recognition. Meta shut down Facebook’s Face Recognition system in 2021, deleting over a billion stored facial templates, but continues to explore new uses for the technology. The potential addition of facial recognition to consumer wearables has prompted privacy concerns and regulatory interest, especially given the technology’s use in assistive devices and the UK ICO’s recent guidance on live facial recognition.
ETRI to Lead ITU-T Effort on International Digital Identity Wallet Standard
South Korea’s Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute will lead the development of an international standard for digital identity wallets under ITU-T Study Group 17. The work will create guidelines for secure digital containers to manage identity information, credentials, and certificates, with a focus on interoperability across sectors. The multi-year initiative will involve collaboration with global experts, governments, and industry stakeholders. The effort comes amid wider adoption of mobile and digital credentials, such as Louisiana’s LA Wallet now being accepted nationwide at TSA checkpoints and federal facilities.
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner Issues Comprehensive Guidance on Biometric Data Under PIPEDA
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has released detailed guidance for organizations subject to PIPEDA on handling biometric data, classifying both raw samples and biometric templates as highly sensitive information. The framework advises obtaining express, informed consent in most cases and offering alternatives where biometrics are not essential. It recommends completing a Biometric Privacy Impact Assessment before deployment, covering necessity, less intrusive options, risk mitigation, and ongoing review. Core requirements include purpose limitation, transparency, security safeguards, retention limits, and accountability measures.
Prove and FNBO Partner to Streamline and Secure Co-Branded Card Onboarding
First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) announced a partnership with Prove to integrate the company’s Pre-Fill identity verification solution into its co-branded credit card onboarding process. Pre-Fill uses device and phone number signals to verify applicants and automatically populate forms with validated data, aiming to reduce friction and improve security. Prove reports that institutions using Pre-Fill have achieved onboarding speeds up to 79 percent faster, with abandonment rates lowered by 35 percent and fraud reduced by more than 75 percent.
–
By the ID Tech Editorial Board