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:
Artius.iD and Pod Foods Co. Partner on Retail Supply Chain Cybersecurity
Artius.iD and Pod Foods Co. have announced a strategic partnership to integrate artius.iD’s decentralized digital identity technology into Pod’s distribution network. The collaboration aims to secure sensitive data across retail supply chains as the industry undergoes rapid digital transformation. The announcement follows artius.iD’s addition of Stefan Krause, former CFO of BMW and Deutsche Bank, to its advisory board. Both companies are headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Illinois Court Rules BIPA Damages Cap Not Retroactive
An Illinois federal court has ruled that the August 2024 amendment to the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), which limits recoverable damages, does not apply retroactively to conduct occurring before the law took effect. This preserves the potential for higher damages in pre-amendment cases and influences numerous pending BIPA lawsuits. The ruling arose from a class action and follows similar decisions clarifying that amendments affecting substantive rights apply prospectively under Illinois law.
Anonybit and Armatura Expand Biometric Partnership in India and Middle East
Anonybit and Armatura have expanded their strategic partnership to deliver privacy-focused biometric solutions in India and the Middle East. The collaboration combines Armatura’s identity hardware with Anonybit’s decentralized biometric platform, which shards biometric templates across multiple servers to prevent single points of failure. The announcement comes as India tightens digital identity regulations, and the region sees rising demand for secure authentication in fintech and other sectors.
World Pauses Iris Scanning in Germany Amid Regulatory Review
World has temporarily halted its iris-scanning operations in Germany, citing station upgrades, though the pause coincides with regulatory scrutiny from Bavaria’s data protection authority (BayLDA). In December 2024, BayLDA ordered Worldcoin to delete stored iris codes over GDPR concerns. While the WorldApp crypto wallet remains live, the company has not confirmed when iris scans will resume in Germany. Similar regulatory challenges have arisen for Worldcoin in Kenya, Indonesia, and Spain.
EU Parliament Approves Rollout of Entry/Exit System at Schengen Borders
The European Parliament has voted to launch the Entry/Exit System (EES), replacing manual passport stamps with biometric records for non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area. The system will deploy gradually over 180 days, starting at 10 percent of border crossings and reaching full coverage by day 170. The EES aims to improve border security and monitor overstays, though officials warn of possible initial congestion, especially at high-traffic terminals like London’s St Pancras.
Irish Civil Liberties Group Urges End to Appeal Over Biometric Data Ruling
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has called on Ireland’s Department of Social Protection to drop its appeal against a Data Protection Commission ruling that found biometric data collection under the Public Services Card program unlawful. The nearly four-year investigation concluded the department lacked a lawful basis under GDPR and imposed a €550,000 fine. The ICCL has requested publication of the full decision, while the department maintains its actions were necessary to prevent welfare fraud.
Honor Magic8 Pro Leak Highlights Industry Shift Toward Advanced Biometrics
Leaks suggest Honor’s upcoming Magic8 Pro smartphone will feature a 7,000mAh battery and adopt a 3D ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor alongside facial recognition technology. The move reflects a broader industry trend away from optical sensors toward ultrasonic systems, driven by regulatory demands and the need for higher security in mobile devices. The Magic8 Pro is also expected to debut with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset and a 200MP camera.
Metalenz and STMicroelectronics Expand Metasurface Optics Collaboration
Metalenz and STMicroelectronics have extended their licensing agreement to manufacture metasurface optics at STM’s 300 mm semiconductor facilities. Since 2022, the firms have shipped over 140 million metasurface components integrated into STM’s FlightSense sensors, used in flagship devices like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 8 Pro. Metalenz is also trialing its Polar ID polarization-based face authentication system, aiming for deployment in 2026, as metasurface optics adoption grows across multiple sectors.
By the ID Tech Editorial Team