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:
FBI RFI Seeks Input on Next-Gen Mobile Biometric Application
The FBI has issued a Request for Information for the development of a Mobile Biometric Application, seeking a cross-platform solution compatible with Android smartphones and Windows-based laptops. The application will support fingerprint, facial image, iris scan, latent print, and palm print capture while complying with the FBI’s Electronic Biometric Transmission Specification. It must integrate with IB Mannix, Cross Match Guardian, and 3M Cogent scanners. The system requires image quality checks, sequence validation, device auto-detection, and offline transaction queuing. Security is a key priority, with the FBI preferring government cloud-hosted solutions. Vendors must submit responses by March 19, 2025, with questions due by March 5. The bureau requests details on vendor capabilities, licensing models, cost structures, and security compliance, along with a 120-day test license for evaluation.
French Banking Fraud Surges Past €1B as Study Reveals Growing Security Concerns
Banking fraud in France surpassed €1 billion in losses during 2023, with payment fraud reaching €1.2 billion, according to research by YouGov for IDnow. A survey of 1,013 French adults found that 62 percent worry about becoming fraud victims, with one in ten having experienced banking fraud and nearly 40 percent facing identity theft attempts. Awareness of fraud types varies by age group, with 86 percent recognizing identity theft, 67 percent aware of phishing, and 33 percent understanding deepfakes. The study found that 72 percent of respondents are familiar with digital identity solutions, and 70 percent are willing to use them for banking.
Nigeria Commits $2 Billion to Digital Infrastructure, Aims to Boost AI and Tech Economy
Nigeria has announced a $2 billion investment in digital infrastructure to enhance connectivity, protect digital identities, and support economic growth. Communications Minister Bosun Tijani stated that the initiative builds on Nigeria’s expanding digital identity framework, following the mandatory implementation of National Identification Numbers for accessing social services. The investment coincides with Nigeria’s first biometric national census in 19 years, which will incorporate facial and voice recognition technology. The funding is expected to strengthen the country’s national data infrastructure and boost its AI sector, projected to contribute $15 billion to GDP by 2030. Supporting programs include the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative and partnerships with Microsoft, Meta, and Nvidia. The National Information Technology Development Agency is expanding local data hosting capabilities to attract global investment.
ID R&D’s Facial Liveness Detection Achieves Perfect Score in DHS Security Evaluation
ID R&D, a Mitek Systems company, achieved perfect accuracy scores in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security evaluation of remote identity validation systems. Its IDLive Face technology, tested under the code name “PAD-P9,” was one of only two passive systems among 21 solutions to achieve 100 percent fraud prevention. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate conducted the testing, confirming that the system recorded zero Attack Presentation Classification Error Rate while processing transactions up to 40 times faster than active liveness systems. ID R&D’s technology has previously performed well in NIST evaluations and received iBeta Level 2 certification in 2020. The company continues refining its technology to ensure unbiased performance across demographic groups.
Self Labs Brings Zero-Knowledge IDV to Blockchain
Self Labs, founded by former Celo core team members, has acquired OpenPassport and launched the Self Protocol, a zero-knowledge proof-based identity verification system for blockchain applications. The protocol enables secure token distributions while preserving user privacy. It includes Self Pass, a verification system for token distribution, and Self Connect, which converts phone numbers into wallet addresses. The system leverages electronic passport NFC technology and zero-knowledge proofs to verify users across 174 countries. Self Pass & Connect has reached seven million active users, handling age verification, country of origin confirmation, and DeFi integrations.
Signicat and Strise Partner to Streamline Customer Verification and AML Compliance
Signicat and AI-powered KYC platform Strise have partnered to integrate digital identity verification with automated anti-money laundering compliance for financial institutions. The collaboration combines Signicat’s identity verification and orchestration platform with Strise’s AML automation tools, streamlining customer onboarding, risk assessment, and compliance processes. This follows Signicat’s expansion into the Asia-Pacific region through its partnership with AsiaVerify and its addition of 3D face-scanning technology to its MobileID system. The partnership builds on Signicat’s history of strategic collaborations, including its 2022 acquisition of Sphonic and its role in expanding the Itsme platform across Europe. The integrated platform will launch in Q2 2025, starting in European markets before expanding globally.
NADRA Launches Nationwide Biometric Bank Deposit Service Through e-Sahulat Platform
Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a biometric-enabled banking service through its e-Sahulat platform, allowing citizens to make deposits at over 50 banks without visiting traditional branches. The service operates through more than 9,000 e-Sahulat franchises, expanding financial access in areas with limited banking infrastructure. NADRA’s biometric verification capabilities, demonstrated at IDEAS 2024 in Karachi, ensure secure transactions. The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s broader efforts to enhance digital identity systems, incorporating facial recognition and iris scanning.
Vulnerable IoT Database Potentially Exposes 2.7B Records
A cybersecurity researcher discovered an unprotected database from IoT grow light manufacturer Mars Hydro, exposing nearly 2.7 billion records containing sensitive user and device information. The 1.17 TB database included Wi-Fi network names, passwords, IP addresses, device IDs, and operating system details from Mars Hydro’s connected agricultural equipment. The breach contradicts the company’s privacy policy, which claims its Mars Pro application does not collect user data. Researcher Jeremiah Fowler notified Mars Hydro and LG-LED SOLUTIONS, leading to the database being secured within hours, though the extent of unauthorized access remains unclear. The incident highlights ongoing security risks in IoT devices, with research showing that 57 percent of such devices are highly vulnerable.
Secret View Partners with iDenfy to Enhance Mystery Shopper IDV
Secret View has partnered with identity verification provider iDenfy to enhance user verification and regulatory compliance. The integration of iDenfy’s KYC software will provide document verification across 200 countries, biometric facial recognition with liveness detection, and automated data extraction from government IDs. The system includes iDenfy’s patented hybrid address verification, recognized in 158 countries. The partnership supports Secret View’s compliance with the European DAC7 directive, which requires income reporting for tax purposes. iDenfy recently earned SOC II certification and expanded to the U.S. market with a Delaware office. Secret View, founded in 2018, now serves over 100,000 registered mystery shoppers, aligning with the broader industry trend of increasing biometric verification adoption across sectors.
FBI RFI Seeks Input on Next-Gen Mobile Biometric Application
The FBI has issued a Request for Information for the development of a Mobile Biometric Application, seeking a cross-platform solution compatible with Android smartphones and Windows-based laptops. The application will support fingerprint, facial image, iris scan, latent print, and palm print capture while complying with the FBI’s Electronic Biometric Transmission Specification. It must integrate with IB Mannix, Cross Match Guardian, and 3M Cogent scanners. The system requires image quality checks, sequence validation, device auto-detection, and offline transaction queuing. Security is a key priority, with the FBI preferring government cloud-hosted solutions. Vendors must submit responses by March 19, 2025, with questions due by March 5. The bureau requests details on vendor capabilities, licensing models, cost structures, and security compliance, along with a 120-day test license for evaluation.
Identity Verification Market to Reach $40.57B by 2032, Driven by Cybersecurity Demands
The global identity verification market is projected to reach USD 40.57 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 19.98 percent from its 2024 valuation of USD 10 billion, according to a new forecast. This expansion surpasses earlier forecasts and reflects increasing cybersecurity threats, regulatory pressures, and the growing adoption of AI and biometric technologies. North America leads the sector, with the U.S. market valued at USD 24.9 billion in 2024, while initiatives like Australia’s national Digital ID system signal strong international growth. The biometric segment is expected to see 3.5 billion biometric payment users by 2030, supported by continued government and private sector adoption.
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February 25, 2026 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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