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:
Spain Launches €1M Digital Infrastructure Tender for Smart Residences Program
Spain has launched a €1 million procurement initiative to advance its Digital Agenda 2025, focusing on wireless telecommunications systems and digital public services. Managed by Red.es, the project aims to implement technologies for “smart residences,” including health monitoring sensors, biometric access control systems, telecommunications equipment, and network infrastructure. Partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the initiative will be executed in Madrid, requiring proposals to meet national and EU digital identity standards. Red.es will oversee the procurement process, with disputes managed by the Central Administrative Court for Contractual Appeals in Madrid.
Spanish Football Club Fined €200,000 Over Stadium Facial Recognition System
Spanish football club Osasuna has been fined €200,000 by the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) for its facial recognition system at El Sadar stadium. The system, developed by Veridas, was used by about 2,000 season ticket holders during the 2023/24 season but was suspended last summer for reconfiguration to meet updated GDPR requirements. The AEPD ordered the deletion of collected data, prohibited further use of the system, and imposed the fine, prompting Osasuna to announce an appeal. The club argued the current Veridas software is internationally recognized and safe, despite the AEPD’s reliance on earlier software arguments.
World Mulls Digital ID System for AI Agents
Sam Altman’s World project is exploring a system to link AI agents with verified human digital identities. Building on its iris-based blockchain identifiers, created via its Orb device and deployed in countries around the world, the initiative seeks to help websites differentiate between unauthorized bots and verified AI agents representing authenticated users. This system could support controlled access for AI agents, limiting misuse by restricting the number of agents per verified individual. World’s Chief Product Officer, Tiago Sada, emphasized the business value of allowing verified AI agents to act on behalf of users, citing potential benefits for industries like delivery services. The initiative follows OpenAI’s launch of Operator, an autonomous AI agent, which faces website restrictions similar to other automated tools.
Brazil Bans Worldcoin’s Crypto-for-Data Collection Program
Brazil’s National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) has ordered Tools for Humanity (TFH) to stop offering cryptocurrency or financial compensation to Brazilian citizens in exchange for iris biometric data collection. The ruling follows an investigation into TFH’s World ID project, which uses iris-scanning technology to verify user uniqueness. The ANPD determined that financial incentives could undermine the validity of consent, particularly among vulnerable populations, and highlighted concerns about the permanent nature of biometric data. The decision aligns with Brazil’s data protection laws, modeled after GDPR, which require consent to be free, informed, and specific to its purpose.
Swiss Legislative Changes May Extend Airport Facial Recognition Technology Beyond Customs
Switzerland plans to expand facial recognition technology at airports, extending its use from voluntary customs checks to check-in, baggage drop-off, and boarding processes. The initiative is tied to proposed revisions of the Swiss Aviation Act, which would create a legal framework for broader biometric adoption and allow airlines and airports, including those from countries with limited data protection regulations, to access passenger biometric data. Zurich Airport plans to introduce biometric monitoring of passenger flows and waiting times, while Geneva Airport has equipment for facial recognition that remains inactive since its 2021 installation. Current Swiss regulations mandate explicit consent for facial image processing, but Zurich and Geneva airports are advocating for legislative changes to remove this requirement, reflecting a broader shift toward contactless passenger processing to enhance efficiency and streamline operations.
Cyprus Launches National Digital ID System for Citizens
Cyprus has opened applications for its new National Electronic Identity (eID) system, IDMe.cy, available to citizens aged 18 and above with a Biometric Identity Card. The initiative aligns with the EU’s eIDAS regulations and the forthcoming European Digital Identity Wallet framework, enabling cross-border identity verification and secure access to public services across the EU. The phased rollout incorporates strong security features compliant with ETSI and NIST standards, offering functionalities such as qualified electronic signatures, multi-factor authentication, and biometric verification. Accessible via mobile and web platforms, the eID system integrates with existing government databases to streamline access to services like healthcare records, tax filings, and social security benefits.
Nigeria Prepares Launch of National Biometric ID Card
Nigerian authorities are preparing to launch a multipurpose biometric identity card initiative through a partnership involving the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), and AfriGO. The card will incorporate fingerprint biometric authentication and support multiple digital wallets for utility payments, transportation, shopping, and accessing government services. Designed to function both online and offline, the card aims to enhance service accessibility in rural areas with limited internet connectivity. It will include security features to prevent fraud and ensure proper distribution of government benefits, aligning with Nigeria’s financial inclusion goals. The rollout involves 26 participating banks, with plans to expand availability to citizens domestically, abroad, and to legitimate residents.
IDEX Biometrics and LIFE CARD Launch Japan’s First Biometric Payment Cards
IDEX Biometrics and LIFE CARD have launched Japan’s first commercial biometric payment cards, incorporating fingerprint sensors for identity verification during transactions. These cards eliminate the need for PIN codes, enhancing security and convenience while ensuring privacy through on-card biometric processing. Compliant with EMVCo standards under development, the cards align with Japan’s broader adoption of biometric technologies, seen in railway ticketing and retailer trials of facial recognition payment systems.
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January 27, 2025 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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