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:
Biden Administration Preps Executive Order Expanding Digital ID Verification for Federal Programs
The Biden administration is reportedly drafting an executive order to expand the use of digital identity documents, such as mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) and electronic passports, for federal public benefit programs. The order tasks the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with developing guidelines to ensure interoperability and data minimization in online identity verification systems. Currently, 15 states issue mDLs, primarily for in-person verification. The order includes funding provisions for state-level mDL implementation programs, aiming to accelerate adoption ahead of the 2025 REAL ID deadline. Additionally, the initiative addresses security challenges like AI-generated document fraud and privacy concerns tied to facial recognition. The order avoids mandating Login.gov, reflecting earlier criticism of the platform’s security and functionality.
South Korea Launches Digital Residence Cards for Foreign Residents in 2025
South Korea will introduce digital residence cards for foreign residents on January 10, 2025, as part of its ongoing digital identity modernization. Foreign residents aged 14 and above with registered smartphones can use the “mobile id-card app” to obtain these cards, which will be valid for identification at public institutions, financial transactions, and other services. Existing cardholders with residence cards issued before 2025 must visit immigration offices for digital activation, while those issued after January 1, 2025, can download the digital version directly via smartphone chip scanning. The system incorporates blockchain and encryption technologies, linking each card to a single device with automatic blocking for lost devices.
Italy to Require Biometric Fingerprinting for Long-Term Schengen Visas Starting January 2025
Italy will introduce mandatory biometric fingerprint collection for all long-term Schengen visa applications starting January 11, 2025. Applicants will be required to visit Italian embassies or consulates in person to submit their fingerprints, which will be stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) for up to 59 months. The policy aligns with the EU’s broader Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout, part of a 2025 initiative to modernize biometric border controls across the Schengen Area. Exemptions apply for children under 12, individuals unable to provide fingerprints, and certain officials. This requirement adds steps to the visa process, potentially increasing travel expenses and wait times due to appointment backlogs, especially for international students.
House Republicans Request GAO Review of TSA’s AI and Biometric Technologies
Republican leaders of the House Homeland Security Committee have requested a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) implementation of AI and biometric technologies. The review will assess cost-effectiveness, operational impacts, privacy safeguards, and the long-term costs and benefits of these technologies. This request follows the TSA’s deployment of facial recognition systems to 80 U.S. airports and its plans for nationwide implementation ahead of the 2025 REAL ID deadline. Concerns over privacy, data protection, and potential bias have fueled calls for scrutiny. TSA emphasizes its commitment to voluntary participation in biometric programs and equitable technology deployment. Operational delays and funding challenges have raised questions about the timeline for full implementation, with some projections extending to 2049.
Port of Palm Beach Sets Record with Facial Recognition System for Cruise Passengers
The Port of Palm Beach has implemented facial recognition technology to enhance passenger processing efficiency, achieving a record of processing over 1,400 passengers by 10 a.m. on January 3, 2025. The system, part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s biometric exit program, matches live facial scans with passport and visa photos, significantly reducing customs clearance times. It currently serves passengers on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, a cruise ship operating from the port to the Bahamas. The port handles around 400,000 cruise passengers annually and has recently introduced infrastructure improvements such as self-parking facilities and a pedestrian walkway to streamline operations.
Dartmouth College Implements Palm Scanning System in Dining Hall, Drawing Mixed Response
Dartmouth College has introduced a biometric palm recognition system at its Class of 1953 Commons dining hall, allowing students to scan their palms for entry as part of campus modernization efforts. Developed by IDEMIA, the system includes three biometric gates alongside one traditional ID card station. Approximately 2,000 students have enrolled since its rollout. This move aligns with similar biometric deployments at other universities, such as Boston University and Syracuse University, aimed at enhancing access control efficiency. While some students appreciate the speed and convenience, others have raised concerns about privacy and implementation issues, including entry bottlenecks.
IDEX Biometrics Secures Major Order from DigAware for Enterprise Access Control
IDEX Biometrics has secured an order from DigAware, part of Emnovate, for biometric sensor systems tailored for physical access control in enterprise environments globally, including the United States. The systems perform biometric authentication locally on the card, ensuring sensitive data remains contained and secure. The partnership includes developing a customized biometric matching solution compatible with DigAware’s card architecture, which features Bluetooth and RFID radios. Development is scheduled to conclude in Q1 2025, after which DigAware plans to purchase 50,000 sensor systems contingent on customer acceptance.
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January 9, 2025 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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