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:
In Wake of IDEX Ruling, Zwipe Files for Bankruptcy
Zwipe AS has filed for bankruptcy with the Oslo district court after failing to secure additional funding. The biometric payment card company faced increasing financial difficulties, culminating in a late-January arbitration ruling by the Oslo Chamber of Commerce, which ordered Zwipe to pay USD 702,000 to IDEX Biometrics ASA, along with interest and legal costs. Zwipe had previously reported heavy losses in 2022, with revenues of 3.9 million NOK against operating expenses of 108.1 million NOK. Despite hitting earlier milestones, including biometric payment card trials with Middle Eastern banks and partnerships with processors like FSS in India, the company could not sustain operations. Chairman Jörgen Lantto stated that all efforts to secure continued operations had failed. A bankruptcy trustee will oversee the process.
Ethiopia Launches Mobile App for Fayda National Digital ID System
Ethiopia has launched a mobile application for its Fayda National Digital ID system, enhancing access to digital identity services. Developed by the National Digital Identity Program Office for Android and iOS, the app allows users to recover lost Fayda numbers, download digital identity credentials, update demographic information, and print digital ID cards. The app includes customer support and feedback features. Communications and Public Relations Officer Ebenezer Feleke stated that it underwent extensive security testing and received certification from the Information Security Service. The Fayda system will be mandatory for banking transactions by 2026 and is already required for various government and private sector services. More than 12 million citizens have registered, with a goal of enrolling 90 million by 2030. The World Bank-funded project aims to support digital government services.
ID Dataweb and SDG Corporation Form Strategic Alliance to Fight Fraud
ID Dataweb and SDG Corporation have formed a strategic partnership to enhance digital trust solutions by combining identity verification and cybersecurity expertise. The collaboration integrates ID Dataweb’s identity verification and fraud prevention capabilities with SDG Corporation’s experience in identity and access management. The partnership aims to reduce fraud, improve onboarding and credential issuance accuracy, and strengthen identity systems across enterprises, partner ecosystems, and workforces. A key component is the implementation of IAL 2 certified workflows for password resets, multi-factor authentication, and new account creation. SDG will receive access to ID Dataweb’s sales training, certifications, and roadmap updates. The companies will work together to improve authentication and verification for shared business clients across web and mobile platforms.
CBP and Royal Caribbean Deploy Facial Recognition at San Juan Port, Reducing Disembarkation Times by 30 percent
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Royal Caribbean have implemented facial recognition technology at the Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to expedite cruise ship passenger processing. The system, used for passengers disembarking Freedom of the Seas, matches real-time facial images against government-submitted travel document photos. Royal Caribbean reports that the technology has reduced disembarkation times by 30 percent. Similar systems have been successfully deployed at other U.S. ports, including the Port of Palm Beach. CBP stated that facial biometrics improve security while reducing physical contact between officers and travelers. The initiative is part of CBP’s broader effort to expand biometric security measures at land, air, and sea ports.
El Cerrito Police Department Implements Clearview AI Facial Recognition Technology
The El Cerrito Police Department has adopted Clearview AI’s facial recognition software for investigative purposes, including suspect identification, missing person searches, and identity verification. Chief Paul Keith stated that the technology will not be used for real-time surveillance. The decision follows ongoing legal and regulatory challenges for Clearview AI, including a contested privacy settlement in the U.S. and a data collection ban in British Columbia. Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about accuracy issues and potential biases in facial recognition systems. Oakland Privacy Advisory Commission Chair Brian Hofer cited higher error rates for people of color and women as a significant issue. Mayor Lisa Motoyama defended the decision, stating that only trained officers will have access under strict guidelines. The department has pledged transparency, committing to audits and public reporting.
New Zealand University Confirms Facial Recognition Use at Chinese Campus
The University of Waikato has confirmed that its joint institute campus in Hangzhou, China, uses facial recognition for facility access control. The system regulates building entry but is not used for attendance tracking. University officials stated that facial recognition is limited to the Chinese campus, with no plans to introduce it in New Zealand. The decision aligns with local institutional practices, as the university’s offshore operations follow host institution standards. Facial recognition is widely adopted across various sectors in China, and the university emphasized that its implementation remains restricted to access control at the Hangzhou campus. The university has not developed a formal policy on facial recognition since it is not used domestically.
Zimbabwe to Launch Biometric System for Tobacco Farmers in 2025 Marketing Season
Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) will implement a biometric system for the 2025 tobacco marketing season to enhance security and traceability in the industry. The system will link farmers’ unique grower numbers to their fingerprints and include GPS tracking of farm locations to verify crop origins and prevent unauthorized sales. It will feature biometric authentication, GPS coordinate recording, digital documentation of farmer information, and streamlined transaction processing. TIMB spokesperson Chelesani Tsarwe stated that the initiative aims to reduce fraudulent sales, improve traceability, and enhance market efficiency. TIMB will oversee the system’s rollout across the country’s tobacco-growing regions this year.
CyberArk Acquires AI-Powered Identity Governance Firm Zilla Security for $175 Million
CyberArk has acquired Zilla Security, an Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) solutions provider, in a deal valued at up to $175 million. The transaction, finalized last week, includes $165 million in cash and a $10 million earn-out based on performance milestones. Zilla Security, founded in 2019, had secured $19 million in funding and reported $5 million in annual recurring revenue. The acquisition will integrate Zilla’s AI-powered IGA capabilities into CyberArk’s Identity Security Platform while keeping Zilla Comply and Zilla Provisioning as standalone offerings. Zilla’s leadership team, including CEO Deepak Taneja and co-founder Nitin Sonawane, will join CyberArk. The acquisition follows CyberArk’s strong financial performance, with $1 billion in sales for 2024 and 41 percent year-over-year revenue growth in Q4.
Georgia Launches Tender for National Digital ID Wallet Development
Georgia has launched a tender process to develop a national digital identity wallet system, allowing citizens and businesses to securely manage digital credentials. The Public Service Development Agency (PSDA) is overseeing the project, funded through the World Bank’s Georgia Relief and Recovery for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises initiative. The digital ID wallet will issue credentials based on Georgian ID card data while ensuring compliance with GDPR. It will support issuer, holder, and verifier functions and align with the eIDAS ecosystem and EUDI Wallet Architecture and Reference Framework. Potential integrations include identity verification for financial services, travel, healthcare, and education. The project will involve IT system implementation, software development, and training over 18 months. Initial selection documents are due by March 18, 2025, with a request for proposal expected in April.
Regula Updates Document Reader SDK to Support New ISO Facial Data Standard Ahead of 2026 Deadline
Regula has announced full support for the ISO/IEC 39794-5 standard in its Document Reader SDK, meeting compliance requirements ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 2026 deadline. The standard enhances facial biometric data storage and processing in e-passport chips, improving interoperability and verification accuracy. It introduces an advanced facial image framework with embedded metadata, including facial landmarks and biometric attributes, enabling faster processing and more reliable identity verification. The standard requires document readers to be compatible by 2026, while passport issuers must fully adopt the format by 2030. Regula has successfully tested its ID verification software with the updated standard while maintaining compatibility with existing document readers.
Trust Stamp and Digital Platformer Partner to Enhance Digital Identity Security
Trust Stamp has partnered with Digital Platformer to enhance digital identity verification and financial security by integrating AI-powered authentication with digital transformation technologies. Trust Stamp will contribute its Irreversibly Transformed Identity Token technology, which protects sensitive data while ensuring reliable identity verification. The partnership aims to improve security, expand global access, and enhance privacy protections. Industry data shows that 75 percent of fraud attacks in 2024 were AI-generated, highlighting the need for advanced authentication measures. Trust Stamp CEO Gareth Genner stated that the integration of tokenized biometric authentication will improve compliance and create new business opportunities.
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February 18, 2025 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
