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:
Biometrics Institute Releases Procurement Guidelines for Tech Implementation
The Biometrics Institute has published new Procurement Guidelines to support responsible acquisition and deployment of biometric technologies across sectors like government, finance, aviation, and humanitarian aid. Structured around eight procurement phases, the guidelines address needs assessment, solution evaluation, and long-term assurance, with checklists emphasizing liveness detection, demographic performance, and privacy safeguards. Released alongside recent updates to the Institute’s Privacy Guidelines, the document responds to growing scrutiny over AI use and sourcing practices. It complements existing good practice frameworks and incorporates lessons on bias, system drift, and vendor lock-in, with ongoing updates planned via the Institute’s member portal.
New Orleans Council Weighs Expanding Police Facial Recognition Powers
The New Orleans City Council is reconsidering its 2022 facial recognition ordinance after recent security incidents, including a mass jail escape and a violent Bourbon Street attack. Despite current restrictions, the NOPD operated a real-time facial recognition system with Project NOLA from 2023 to April 2025 without public disclosure. Access was suspended pending legal review, but a Project NOLA alert helped identify one escapee, fueling support for expanded use. Opponents, including the ACLU, cite the operation’s secrecy as grounds for stricter oversight. The council is now weighing broader permissions amid accountability concerns and ongoing investigations.
Thailand’s New Biometric System Leads to Arrest of Tourist-Targeting Thief
Thai police used a new biometric identification system to arrest a Mongolian serial thief targeting tourists in Bangkok on June 10, 2025. The system matched the suspect’s physiological data to existing records, confirming identity and enabling a swift arrest. The operation highlights Thailand’s investment in biometric and AI-powered security infrastructure, now active in major airports and forming part of a broader strategy to protect its tourism sector. The case is still under investigation, with no full identity or theft details disclosed.
CBP Launches Facial Recognition Screening at JFK’s Terminal 8
CBP has deployed its Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) system at JFK Airport’s Terminal 8, using facial recognition to streamline international arrivals. In partnership with American Airlines, the system matches live facial scans with passport records, halving processing times for eligible travelers—primarily U.S. citizens—without requiring pre-enrollment. Unlike Global Entry, EPP is opt-in at the point of entry and aims to expand to non-U.S. citizens in future phases.
NEXT Biometrics Lands $6.3M Order for New Ultra-Thin Fingerprint Sensors
NEXT Biometrics has received a NOK 6.3 million order from distributor XM Holder for its newly launched FAP 20 Basalt L1 Slim fingerprint sensor, with potential follow-on orders worth up to NOK 25 million annually. The sensor, certified for India’s Aadhaar program, features a thin profile for easier device integration and is aimed at POS and identity verification applications. Shipments begin in Q3 2025. This follows a separate NOK 55–107 million contract from ACPL, signaling strong demand amid stricter UIDAI certification standards and marking a turnaround after earlier program delays in Q1 2025.
Apple Wallet to Support Digital Passports for U.S. Domestic Travel in iOS 26
Apple will introduce digital passport support in iOS 26, allowing users to store an ICAO-compliant digital travel credential in Apple Wallet by scanning their passport and verifying identity via Face ID or Touch ID. The credential, re-signed by the U.S. State Department, will be accepted at over 250 TSA checkpoints for domestic air travel but won’t replace physical passports for international use. Stored securely on-device, it enables selective data sharing. The feature, available for iPhone 11 and newer, follows similar efforts by Google and marks Apple’s latest move in expanding digital ID offerings ahead of broader international adoption.
Regula Named Innovation Leader in KuppingerCole Identity Verification Report
Regula has been named an Innovation Leader in KuppingerCole’s 2025 Leadership Compass for Identity Verification, marking its first inclusion in the report. Cited strengths include in-house R&D, forensic-grade authentication tools, extensive document templates, and liveness detection. Recent highlights include one-click data masking in Forensic Studio, a rapid integration with REACT’s ID Wallet, and biometric deployments across 30+ countries via iCard.
AU10TIX Tackles Non-ID Document Fraud With AnyDoc Authentication
AU10TIX has launched AnyDoc Authentication, an AI-powered tool that verifies non-ID documents like utility bills and business licenses by applying over 150 checks for forgery and manipulation. It analyzes text, fonts, structure, and metadata, delivering results in 5–20 seconds and reducing manual reviews by up to 90 percent. The tool supports KYC, KYB, and AML compliance across sectors including finance, crypto, travel, and healthcare. It builds on AU10TIX’s recent risk monitoring features and extends its platform to cover supporting document verification within existing onboarding workflows.
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By Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
