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:
UK Prepares for 2026 Enforcement of Online Safety Act Age Checks
The UK is preparing to enforce age verification rules for online pornography access under the Online Safety Act, with full implementation expected by mid-2026. Ofcom will issue draft guidance in late 2025. Reddit, Discord, and Bluesky have begun pilot programs using document verification and facial age estimation, while X has signaled interest. The draft code of practice allows biometric and document-based checks. Aylo, parent company of Pornhub, has said it will review final rules before deciding on UK deployment. Non-compliant sites could face major fines or blocking. Eight percent of UK children aged 8–17 accessed porn sites in one month, according to Ofcom.
Suprema Announces EU Cybersecurity Certification for Biometric Devices
Suprema has received CE RED certification under the EU’s enhanced cybersecurity requirements for its BioStation 3 and BioEntry W3 devices. The certification confirms compliance with network protection, data privacy, and fraud prevention rules that become mandatory in August 2025. Suprema says it is the first access control company to meet the new standard, though this claim is based on its own research. The company plans to certify additional devices before the deadline. Certified systems integrate with cloud-based platforms like Verkada and coincide with broader biometric access adoption across Europe.
IDEX Biometrics to Finalize Second Tranche of NOK 30M Share Placement
IDEX Biometrics will hold an extraordinary general meeting on August 14, 2025, to approve the second tranche of its NOK 30 million private placement. The offering includes 9.09 million shares priced at NOK 3.30, split into two parts. Guarantors Pinchcliffe AS and Kilen Invest AS—affiliated with the CFO and chairman, respectively—will receive fees in shares. CEO Catharina Eklof reported progress in the company’s transformation plan, including Visa and Mastercard approvals, pilots in India and the UK, and a school ID contract in Kenya. In Q3 2024, IDEX reported $60,000 in revenue and a $1.36 million net gain driven by financial adjustments.
EU to Launch Biometric Entry/Exit System in October 2025
The EU will begin rolling out its biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) on October 12, 2025, with full enforcement starting April 10, 2026. The system will register fingerprints and facial images of non-EU short-stay travelers during their first visit, with repeat visits requiring only passport scans and possibly a live facial image. The EES will replace manual passport stamping, though stamps will continue during the transition. It complements other EU digital border programs such as ETIAS and the updated Eurodac system, launching in 2026. American, Canadian, and British visitors will be required to comply.
Mizoram Begins Biometric Enrollment of Myanmar and Bangladeshi Refugees
India’s Mizoram state will start biometric registration of about 35,000 refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh on July 15, 2025. The initiative uses the NIC-developed Foreigners Identification Portal & Biometric Enrollment system and begins at Ramthar Camp before expanding to eight more locations. Overseen by the DLCMBR and managed by ten biometric teams, the program is funded with Rs 38 lakh (~US$46,000), with additional support expected. It was delayed by the 2023 elections and technical issues. The move aligns with other refugee management efforts, including UNHCR’s biometric ID system for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Hong Kong to Activate Facial Recognition in Over 3,000 Surveillance Cameras
Hong Kong police plan to activate facial recognition across more than 3,000 SmartView surveillance cameras by the end of 2025. The goal is to help locate suspects and missing persons using AI. The network will expand to 7,000 camera sets by 2027, with integration efforts underway to include feeds from other government departments and the MTR. Authorities are also seeking access to private-sector footage. Secretary for Security Chris Tang has pledged privacy safeguards, though details remain unclear. The rollout follows regional scrutiny of AI surveillance practices and mirrors global trends in smart policing.
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By The ID Tech Editorial Team