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:
Thales Subsidiary Wins Swiss Contract for Biometric Identification System Overhaul
Switzerland’s Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL) has awarded an 18.9 million CHF contract to Thales DIS Schweiz AG for the modernization of the country’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). The 17-year agreement will see Thales replace the existing AFIS by mid-2027, enhancing law enforcement capabilities while ensuring compliance with Swiss privacy regulations. The upgrade includes an optional facial recognition module for stored image comparisons but explicitly excludes real-time monitoring or social media scanning.
AuthID Unveils Anti-Deepfake Tech as AI Fraud Surges in Financial Sector
AuthID has released a white paper, Deepfake Countermeasures, detailing the escalating threat of AI-powered fraud in digital authentication. The report highlights how modern deepfake technology can generate highly realistic videos from a single photograph, rendering traditional authentication methods vulnerable. The white paper underscores the inadequacy of manual document review processes, which detect advanced deepfakes less than one percent of the time, and advocates for AI-driven authentication solutions. The release aligns with rising identity fraud trends, with synthetic identity fraud increasing by 32 percent in 2024.
Belgium to Launch Digital ID Cards on Smartphones by Late 2026
Belgium has announced that starting in November 2026, all residents will be able to request a digital version of their physical identity cards for use on smartphones. The new digital ID, available at no cost to those holding a physical Belgian identity card, will serve as an identification tool, authentication method, and electronic signature, while also being valid for travel within the Schengen zone. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin emphasized the need for modernization and assured that cybersecurity remains a top priority. The government confirmed that the digital ID will be optional, coexisting with physical identity cards.
eConnect Facial Recognition Tech Integrates with Dallmeier Video Management System
eConnect has integrated its facial recognition technology with Dallmeier’s Video Management System (VMS), with the combined solution set to debut at the World Game Protection Conference (WGPC) 2025 in Las Vegas. The integration enhances real-time identification of persons of interest, streamlining security operations in casinos, hospitality venues, arenas, and stadiums. CEO Henry Valentino highlighted the partnership’s potential to improve operational efficiency and response times for security personnel. Live demonstrations at WGPC 2025 will showcase the system’s capabilities.
Fast Verify Pushes Active Liveness Detection to Combat Deepfake Fraud
Fast Verify has introduced “Active Liveness Detection” to its identity verification platform, leveraging AI to counter deepfake fraud and presentation attacks. The system requires users to perform real-time actions like blinking, smiling, or head movements to verify identity, enhancing fraud prevention measures. The company says the new features can detect up to 99.9 percent of presentation attacks. Unlike passive liveness solutions, Fast Verify’s approach demands user interaction for liveness detection. The solution is aimed at industries handling sensitive transactions, including financial services, healthcare, and online gaming.
South Korean Hospitals Launch Mobile ID System for Patient Check-in
South Korea’s major mobile carriers—SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus—have introduced a digital identity verification service at Yonsei University Yongin Severance Hospital, marking the first mobile ID verification deployment in the country’s healthcare sector. The system, based on the PASS mobile app, allows patients to verify their identity using QR codes instead of physical documents, streamlining check-in and reducing administrative errors. Following this hospital launch, the service may expand to additional healthcare facilities and public sector applications.
Russian Bank PSB Teams with MegaFon to Expand Biometric Banking Network
Russia’s Promsvyazbank (PSB) and MegaFon have announced a strategic partnership to expand biometric banking services by integrating PSB branches within MegaFon retail outlets. The move reflects Russia’s broader push toward biometric authentication, as a new nationwide requirement will make biometric verification mandatory for SIM card activation starting April 1, 2025. The collaboration is expected to drive adoption of Russia’s Unified Biometric System, which surpassed 3 million enrollments earlier this year. The initiative underscores Russia’s rapid shift toward biometric identification in financial and telecom sectors, raising ongoing concerns about privacy and surveillance.
Microblink Launches Digital IDV Platform with Liveness Checks
Microblink has launched its next-generation automated identity verification platform, offering businesses a streamlined solution for ID capture, verification, and fraud prevention. The cloud-based platform consolidates multiple verification services, incorporating advanced document authentication, biometric verification with iBeta Level 2 Presentation Attack Detection, and document liveness checks to counter fraud. A drag-and-drop workflow builder with industry-specific templates simplifies integration, while an analytics dashboard provides real-time insights.
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March 11, 2025 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
