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:
Romania Opens Tender for Citizenship Management System With Biometrics Capability
Romania’s National Citizenship Authority has issued a €1.28 million tender for the development of RODUC, a custom digital platform to manage citizenship applications and related processes. The system will handle end-to-end case management, biometric data processing, registry functions, and statistical reporting. The eight-month contract includes both software and hardware components, and bids—evaluated 70 percent on technical merit—are due June 2, 2025, via the SEAP portal. Funded in part by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, the project aims to enhance administrative efficiency, data security, and digital public service delivery.
Google to Pay Record $1.4B in Texas Privacy Settlement Over Data Collection
Google has agreed to a $1.375 billion settlement with Texas to resolve two lawsuits alleging unauthorized collection of users’ location data, incognito searches, and biometric identifiers such as voiceprints and facial geometry. While Google denies wrongdoing and faces no product changes under the deal, the settlement—its largest with a single U.S. state—reflects growing state-level scrutiny over digital privacy. Critics argue that financial penalties alone may not curb future violations, despite Google’s recent privacy updates.
UNICEF Rejects Israel’s Facial Recognition Plan for Gaza Aid Distribution
UNICEF has rejected Israel’s proposal to require facial recognition for Palestinians in Gaza to access humanitarian aid, citing violations of humanitarian principles and civilian safety risks. The plan involves biometric checkpoints and aid distribution in IDF-controlled zones, which UNICEF and OCHA warn could endanger vulnerable populations and restrict access. Critics argue the system risks coerced data collection and undermines aid neutrality. While Israel claims the approach would prevent aid diversion, international bodies have not endorsed it, and humanitarian organizations continue to call for unimpeded, demilitarized aid delivery.
Taiwan Security Firm Lydsec to List on Emerging Market as Keypasco
Lydsec Digital Technology, known for its Keypasco authentication platform, will debut on Taiwan’s emerging stock market on May 13 under code 7834, priced at NT$58. With 2024 revenue up 69 percent and 70 percent of sales from international markets, Lydsec offers MFA, SSO, ZTNA, and FIDO-based tools to clients across finance, government, and healthcare. Backed by six global patents and III certification for zero-trust security, the company’s IPO supports its expansion amid growing global demand for passwordless and risk-based authentication solutions.
South Africa Extends Smart ID Cards to 1.4M Permanent Residents and Citizens
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has expanded its smart ID card program to include over 1.4 million naturalised citizens and permanent residents, replacing the outdated green bar-coded ID book with biometric-enabled cards. The reform removes previous restrictions tied to IT system limitations and manual applications, addressing long-standing exclusion and fraud vulnerabilities. The rollout prioritizes applicants from visa-exempt countries and forms part of a broader digital modernization plan aiming for a fully digital ID system by 2029.
Vietnamese Digital Bank First in SE Asia to Earn Top Biometric Security Rating
Cake Digital Bank has become the first digital-only bank in Southeast Asia to earn ISO/IEC 30107-3 Level 2 certification from iBeta for its facial biometric system, Cake Face Authen. Developed in-house by Vietnamese engineers, the system achieved a perfect score against advanced spoofing attacks using passive liveness detection. Now used by over 15 million people, it complies with Vietnam’s 2024 mandate for biometric verification in digital banking.
FCT Partners with Interac to Launch Digital ID System for Real Estate Deals
FCT has partnered with Interac to integrate the Interac Verified digital identity service into its real estate tech platform, enabling Canadians to use secure, reusable credentials for property transactions. The service, launching in July, combines banking credentials, government ID, and biometric verification to meet FINTRAC KYC and AML requirements while enhancing privacy and reducing fraud risks. This marks the first use of Interac Verified in the Canadian real estate sector and reflects growing demand for digital ID solutions that streamline compliance and improve user experience across regulated industries.
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May 12, 2025 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
