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:
Age Assurance Market Set to Nearly Double to $10.4B by 2029: Liminal
Liminal has published two reports, Link Index: Age Verification and Link Index: Age Estimation, offering a detailed assessment of over 40 vendors in the expanding age assurance market. With regulatory pressures mounting, the sector is poised to nearly double in value, reaching $10.4 billion by 2029. The reports highlight a shift toward AI-driven and biometric verification methods as firms seek to balance compliance with user experience—both top priorities for industry leaders. The rise of deepfake threats further underscores the need for robust fraud detection, as compliance-related fines are expected to surpass $2.5 billion by 2026.
Enterprise Passkey Adoption Surges in US and UK, FIDO Report Shows
Enterprise adoption of passkeys is accelerating, with 87 percent of organizations in the U.S. and U.K. either deploying or implementing the technology, according to a FIDO Alliance report. The shift is driven by security improvements, compliance needs, and a better user experience, with password reliance dropping significantly. However, implementation complexity and cost remain obstacles for lagging firms. Education has proven critical, with most enterprises leveraging both internal and FIDO-provided materials. While challenges persist, the findings indicate that passwordless authentication is on track for widespread adoption in the coming years.
1Kosmos Integrates Identity Platform with Microsoft Entra ID to Boost Security
1Kosmos has integrated its identity verification platform with Microsoft Entra ID, strengthening enterprise security with passwordless authentication and streamlined onboarding. The move follows the company’s rapid growth and a $194.5 million agreement with the U.S. government to enhance Login.gov. The integration extends Entra ID’s reach to legacy and non-Microsoft systems, supporting Zero Trust frameworks while reducing service desk workloads. As enterprises increasingly adopt passwordless authentication, the partnership reflects a broader industry shift toward more secure and seamless identity verification solutions.
EU-Backed Digital ID Platform Launches to Cut €5.7B Verification Costs
Deverium has launched alongID, a digital identity orchestration platform aimed at streamlining cross-border verification while reducing compliance costs for European financial institutions. Backed by €2M in EU funding, the system integrates blockchain and zero-knowledge proofs to enhance security and user control. Partnerships with GBG and Regula bolster its verification capabilities, aligning with GDPR and eIDAS 2.0 standards. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, alongID’s debut at Mobile World Congress signals Deverium’s ambition to position itself at the forefront of the evolving digital identity market.
UK Bill Would Give Police Broad Access to 50M Drivers’ Personal Data
The UK government has unveiled a Crime and Policing Bill that would grant law enforcement expanded access to the personal data of 50 million motorists via the DVLA. The bill removes existing limits that restrict police access to traffic-related offenses, allowing broader use of driver records for criminal investigations. While officials argue the measure will improve crime prevention, privacy advocates warn of potential overreach, raising concerns about mass surveillance. The move aligns with the government’s broader push for digital service integration, as seen in the expansion of GOV.UK’s One Login system.
VicRoads Rolls Out Passkey Authentication for 5 Million Account Holders
VicRoads has introduced passkey authentication for nearly 5 million myVicRoads account holders, allowing access via biometric methods such as Face ID, Touch ID, and Windows Hello. Developed with FIDO Alliance member Corbado, the upgrade enhances digital security by reducing reliance on passwords. A pilot program saw over 200,000 passkeys created, signaling strong adoption. VicRoads joins other Australian organizations, including Telstra and myGov, in implementing passkeys. The system uses public-key cryptography to protect user data and minimize phishing risks.
Karen Evans Named CISA’s New Executive Director for Cybersecurity
Karen Evans has been appointed executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA, taking on a key federal cyber leadership role previously held by Jeff Greene and Eric Goldstein. Evans, a former DHS CIO and DOE cybersecurity official, will oversee efforts to protect federal agencies and critical infrastructure from cyber threats, including state-backed attacks. Her appointment comes amid leadership transitions at CISA and broader federal cybersecurity realignments, with Sean Plankey under consideration for CISA’s top role and Sean Cairncross nominated as national cyber director.
Keyless Launches Browser-Based Biometric Authentication SDK After $2M Funding
Keyless has launched a Web SDK, expanding its biometric authentication technology to mobile and desktop web browsers. The update allows seamless cross-channel authentication within a single browser session, removing the need for a second device. The rollout follows a $2 million funding round, bringing Keyless’s total funding to $10 million. The Web SDK supports phishing-resistant payments, passkey security, and streamlined account recovery, integrating with Open ID Connect for passwordless authentication.
CardLab Launches Passwordless Smart Card with T-Shape Fingerprint Sensor
CardLab has introduced Access, a biometric smart card featuring Fingerprint Cards AB’s FPC1323 T-Shape fingerprint sensor. The card offers offline identity verification, encrypted data storage, and multi-factor security, integrating NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy for broad compatibility. It includes a rechargeable battery with energy harvesting to extend lifespan. The launch follows Fingerprint Cards’ shipment of over one million T-Shape sensors and aligns with its push into unified access control solutions. The Access card is set to undergo FIDO 1+ certification to validate its security for digital transactions.
Taliban Deploys 90,000 AI Cameras in Kabul for Mass Surveillance System
The Taliban has significantly expanded its surveillance apparatus in Afghanistan, deploying around 90,000 CCTV cameras across Kabul and enhancing its capacity to track individuals via facial recognition and mobile phone data collection. While officials claim the measures aim to curb crime, human rights groups warn of a deepening crackdown on personal freedoms. Reports suggest Huawei may be supplying the technology, though its origins remain unclear. The system, which includes phone inspections at checkpoints, has heightened fear among citizens, marking a digital-era evolution of the Taliban’s control tactics from their 1990s rule.
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February 27, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy and Alex Perala
