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:
Pakistan Mandates Biometric Checks for Mobile Wallet Cash Transactions to Boost Security
Pakistan’s central bank has mandated biometric verification for all cash deposits and withdrawals via mobile wallets like Easypaisa and JazzCash, effective July 1, 2025. The State Bank of Pakistan says the move aims to reduce fraud while leaving digital transactions like wallet transfers unaffected. Retail agents nationwide have been equipped with fingerprint scanners, and customers are being educated through awareness campaigns. Industry analysts expect the global digital identity market to reach $65–145 billion by 2030.
DHS Revives Biometric Rule for Border Crossings, Eyes Expanded Facial Scans
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has revived a rule first proposed under the Trump administration to expand biometric data collection from non-citizens crossing U.S. borders. The plan includes mandatory facial scans and possibly other biometrics, though final requirements remain under review. The initiative builds on the DHS Office of Biometric Identity Management’s vast database and could see OBIM folded into Customs and Border Protection. Privacy groups warn of surveillance risks, and no implementation date has been announced.
flydubai Installs Biometric Smart Gates for Crew, Tapping AI to Speed Immigration
Dubai airline flydubai has partnered with UAE firm emaratech to install AI-powered biometric gates for crew members at Dubai International Airport. The system uses facial recognition to streamline immigration, replacing paper-based processes and connecting directly with immigration systems. The project reflects Dubai’s wider tech ambitions, including future borderless biometric travel plans at the new Al Maktoum International Airport. Officials say the technology will reduce processing times and may expand to passenger use in future phases.
London Police Made Over 1,000 Arrests Using Live Facial Recognition
The Metropolitan Police Service in London reports making 1,035 arrests using Live Facial Recognition (LFR) since the start of 2024, including 93 registered sex offenders. That’s nearly double the 540 arrests recorded in 2024. More than 100 cases involved violence against women and girls. The Met defends LFR as effective and non-discriminatory, citing testing that found no significant demographic bias. Meanwhile, privacy concerns persist as other UK forces like Suffolk Police begin LFR trials, and lawmakers debate clearer legal frameworks.
Ecuador Modernizes Border Security Nationwide with Regula Forensics Technology
Ecuador has deployed Regula Forensics’ advanced document examination devices across all land, air, and maritime entry points as part of a nationwide border modernization project. Supported by the International Organization for Migration and local partner INSETK, the upgrade replaces manual checks with automated systems to detect fraudulent documents more accurately. The initiative covers major hubs like Quito and Guayaquil airports and aligns Ecuador’s processes with international standards, streamlining border crossings for an estimated 1.5 million travelers annually.
Congress Passes “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Unleashing Record Biometric and AI Funding at U.S. Borders
The U.S. Congress has passed H.R. 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” allocating around $21 billion for border security upgrades, including biometric and AI surveillance. The package funds facial recognition towers, handheld biometric scanners for cargo, expanded Mobile Fortify use by ICE, and integration of DHS systems with DOJ databases. Critics warn of privacy and civil liberties risks, especially as the bill supports surveillance in domestic transportation corridors and incentivizes biometric screening in Medicaid. DHS faces deadlines to deliver plans and implement biometric exits at major land borders by 2026.
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team