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:
Moscow Aims to Deploy Face Pay at All Metro Turnstiles by End of 2025
Moscow’s city government plans to equip every metro turnstile with facial recognition technology by December 2025, expanding its Face Pay system. The rollout builds on over 1,500 biometric turnstiles already installed and leverages Moscow’s vast surveillance infrastructure. Officials say the system will improve convenience and security, though civil rights groups have raised privacy concerns. Similar systems have been deployed in cities like Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod.
Chinese Smartphone Makers Test Under-Display 3D Face Unlock Ahead of Apple
Several Chinese smartphone manufacturers are reportedly testing under-display 3D facial recognition systems, aiming to combine biometric security with seamless screen design. While phones like the Honor Magic 7 Pro and ZTE’s nubia line each offer one of these features, no commercial device has integrated both. The new technology may debut before Apple’s rumored 2026 Face ID redesign, although third-party security validation remains pending.
Massachusetts Lawmakers Weigh New Facial Recognition Restrictions After Hearing
Massachusetts lawmakers are reviewing two bills that would centralize facial recognition under State Police control and require warrants for use in most investigations. The proposals stem from a state commission’s recommendations following the 2020 police reform law. Advocates say the reforms would enhance due process and prevent misuse, addressing bias and accuracy concerns cited in cities like Nashville and Ann Arbor.
D’CENT Integrates Biometric Wallet Support for Manta Pacific Assets
D’CENT’s fingerprint-secured hardware wallet now supports Manta Pacific, allowing users to manage Layer-2 Ethereum assets with biometric authentication. The integration enables staking, airdrops, and dApp interactions while maintaining cold-wallet security. It reflects a broader industry shift toward decentralized biometric verification, as seen in prior hardware wallet innovations and emerging modular blockchain platforms.
Kuwait’s DGCA Mandates Facial Recognition for Employee Attendance
Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) now requires all employees to verify attendance using facial recognition. The policy, effective July 16, 2025, is part of Kuwait’s broader biometric expansion across public services. Employees registered their faceprints at DGCA’s Subhan HQ. While the vendor remains unnamed, the move reflects a regional trend, contrasting with restrictions in countries like Italy, where facial recognition use in public spaces remains limited.
Australia’s Audit Office Considers Reviews of Digital ID, CDR, and AI Governance
Australia’s draft 2025–26 audit program includes possible reviews of the Consumer Data Right, digital identity reforms, and emerging tech frameworks such as AI governance. While final selections are pending, the proposed audits would assess implementation and oversight. A previously planned review into specialist investment vehicles tied to a $470M PsiQuantum deal is not included, though a broader investment audit remains on the list.
GLEIF Launches Global vLEI Hackathon to Spur Digital Trust Innovation
GLEIF has launched an international hackathon to promote adoption of its verifiable Legal Entity Identifier (vLEI) framework. The challenge focuses on digital assets, commercial operations, and supply chain resilience, inviting global teams to submit projects via the APIX Platform. Winners will present at major events including Chainlink SmartCon and Hong Kong Fintech Week. The initiative builds on GLEIF’s Global Partner Program and its pending vLEI system rollout later this year.
By the ID Tech Editorial Team