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:
Da Nang Airport Launches Full Biometric Check-In via VNeID
Da Nang International Airport has become the first in Vietnam to implement a fully biometric curb-to-gate travel experience using the national VNeID platform. The system allows domestic passengers on Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air to check in, pass security, and board using facial recognition, without presenting physical ID—though travelers are advised to carry backup documents. The deployment supports Vietnam’s goal to mandate biometric authentication at all border points by the end of 2025. Airport modernization plans through 2030 aim to expand capacity to 28 million passengers.
IDEX Biometrics Raises $2.9M in Insider-Backed Private Placement
IDEX Biometrics has launched a NOK 30 million (USD ~2.9 million) private placement, with strong participation from company insiders and long-term investors. The fully underwritten offering was priced at NOK 3.30 per share and is managed by Arctic Securities AS. The raise follows IDEX’s recent launch of a biometric metal credit card with Mastercard in Bangladesh and supports its TrustedBio sensor platform. Despite increasing pilot deployments, IDEX remains loss-making, with auditors warning of going-concern risk after a USD 14.4 million loss in 2024.
Malaysia’s MyDigital ID Nears 3M Registrations as Mandatory Use Considered
Malaysia’s MyDigital ID program hit 2.8 million registered users in Q2 2025, up from 1.8 million in Q1, amid expanding integration across 82 government and private-sector systems. Officials say the cabinet is reviewing legislation that could mandate enrollment. The digital credential is used for services such as MyGov, MyJPJ, prepaid SIM registration, and banking sandbox pilots. It does not replace the MyKad physical ID card, and instead complements it as an online authentication tool.
South Africa’s CETA Loses R13M to Failed Biometric Project
An investigation by the Sunday Times revealed that South Africa’s Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) lost at least R13 million through two failed contracts for a biometric anti-fraud system that was never delivered. The case has been referred to law enforcement and raises concerns over procurement oversight in the public sector. The news follows other troubled biometric tenders in the country, including the legally challenged R380 million Idemia contract at major airports.
TSA Explores $5.5B Private-Sector Overhaul of Airport Screening
The TSA has issued a Request for Information seeking private-sector partners to deliver “turnkey” airport screening solutions that integrate biometrics, AI threat detection, and digital ID verification. The RFI supports a proposed 10-year, $5.5 billion contract to replace existing Screening Partnership Program (SPP) agreements expiring in 2026. The initiative builds on past biometric pilots with CBP and aligns with industry efforts such as American Airlines’ rollout of Touchless ID. Privacy groups have raised concerns about expanding biometric surveillance in public spaces.
Mantra Softech Granted U.S. Patent for Anti-Spoofing Fingerprint Scanner
Mantra Softech has been awarded U.S. Patent 12,315,287 B2 for a fingerprint scanner that uses coherent gating to detect subsurface features for liveness detection. The dual-path optical system captures surface and internal fingerprint characteristics without relying on multi-spectral analysis. This builds on earlier Indian patents and complements Mantra’s broader biometric portfolio, including a recent expanded iris recognition license with Fingerprints AB. The scanner is aimed at high-security applications where spoofing risks are rising.
By the ID Tech Editorial Team