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:
A Look Back at Identity Week Europe and What It Signals for D.C.
With Identity Week America 2025 approaching, ID Tech has released a new video retrospective on this year’s Identity Week Europe in Amsterdam. Hosted by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis, the report offers an on-the-floor look at the technologies and conversations shaping global digital identity, including interviews with leaders from FaceTec, Neurotechnology, Anonybit, Lakota Software Solutions, and others. The themes – EUDI Wallet development, AI-powered verification, fraud prevention, and biometric innovation – offer a preview of the discussions expected to dominate the upcoming D.C. gathering.
WEX Adopts Trulioo for Automated KYC
Fleet card issuer WEX is moving from manual verification to Trulioo’s Document Verification and Biometrics solution for European fuel card customers. The system uses AI-driven fraud detection, selective biometric checks, and guided document capture, backed by testing on 25 million images. Trulioo says the approach improves onboarding and compliance while reducing fraud risk. The partnership reflects broader financial industry adoption of biometric verification to meet regulatory standards.
M.A.C. Cosmetics Faces Illinois BIPA Suit
M.A.C. Cosmetics is facing a class-action lawsuit in Cook County, Illinois, alleging its virtual try-on tool collects facial geometry without written consent in violation of the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Plaintiff Fiza Javid says she used the feature in a suburban Chicago store without receiving required disclosures. The case follows similar litigation in the beauty sector, including a $2.9 million settlement by Charlotte Tilbury earlier this year. BIPA allows damages of up to $5,000 per violation, underscoring risks for retailers using biometric try-on technologies.
Malaysia Airlines Adopts Amadeus Travel Ready
Malaysia Airlines has become the first carrier in Southeast Asia to deploy Amadeus’s Travel Ready system, allowing passengers to upload and verify documents such as passports, visas, and health certificates before departure. The service supports IATA’s One ID initiative for seamless travel and extends verification to bag drop, security, and boarding. Executives from Malaysia Aviation Group and Amadeus say the rollout lays the foundation for a fully biometric journey. The move adds to global momentum around self-service and digital identity in aviation.
Police Scotland Moves Ahead With Live Facial Recognition
Police Scotland has confirmed plans to advance live facial recognition (LFR) technology, despite opposition from 14 rights and racial justice organizations. A public consultation found opinion evenly split, with 49 percent supportive and 48 percent opposed. Critics cite accuracy disparities and human rights risks, referencing past rulings against South Wales Police and ongoing misidentification cases involving the Metropolitan Police. Police Scotland says bias mitigation, independent oversight, and governance will be part of its rollout, with further updates due to the Scottish Police Authority in September.
South Africa Expands Digital ID Bank Partnerships
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has added Absa and Discovery Bank to its Smart ID and passport partnership program, bringing the total to five banks. The expansion is set to extend services from around 30 pilot sites to more than 840 branches nationwide within 12 months, with a long-term goal of over 1,000 locations by 2029. Officials say the initiative has already eased congestion at Home Affairs offices, and mobile app integration is planned through partner banks. Minister Leon Schreiber called the expansion a major step toward making identity services more accessible.
Biometrics Institute Survey Highlights Policing Growth and Deepfake Fears
The Biometrics Institute’s 2025 Industry Survey shows a notable increase in biometric use by police and law enforcement, while AI and digital identity remain the top areas for development. Deepfakes are a major concern, cited by 85 percent of respondents, and privacy worries persist, with nearly half pointing to data sharing without consent as the biggest barrier to growth. The survey also found 84 percent believe public education is essential to acceptance. CEO Isabelle Moeller said, “Education is paramount to building public trust in biometrics.” Respondents expect multimodal systems combining face, fingerprint, or iris to grow fastest in the coming years.
Microsoft Research Releases “Crescent” Privacy Library
Microsoft Research has released Crescent, an open-source cryptographic library that adds unlinkability and selective disclosure to existing credentials such as JWTs and mobile driver’s licenses. Using Groth16 zero-knowledge proofs, Crescent lets users prove specific facts (such as being over 18) without exposing hidden identifiers that could be used to track them. The system is designed to slot into existing OpenID Connect, OAuth, and verifiable credential ecosystems. Microsoft says Crescent is intended to address rising privacy risks in mainstream identity formats, though the code has not yet been security-audited for production use.
By the ID Tech Editorial Team