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:
1 in 10 Consumers Reject Transactions Over Biometric Data Concerns, Study Shows
The Identity Theft Resource Center reports that one in 10 consumers have declined transactions due to discomfort with biometric data collection, reflecting growing skepticism amid widespread adoption of technologies like facial and fingerprint verification. The study notes a gender gap in trust, with women showing more hesitation. Concerns center on unclear data handling practices and limited transparency. The ITRC urges better education on biometric systems, clear opt-out options, and stronger safeguards to support ethical implementation. The findings emphasize the need to balance technological progress with user consent and privacy protection.
New Orleans Police Ran Secret Real-Time Facial Recognition System for 2 Years
From 2022 to 2024, the New Orleans Police Department operated a secret live facial recognition system across 200-plus camera feeds, violating a city ordinance that limited the technology to targeted investigations. Run in partnership with Project NOLA, the system enabled real-time suspect identification and arrests without required disclosures or documentation. The program, now paused following media exposure, bypassed transparency laws and sparked civil liberties concerns over unchecked public surveillance. Critics warn it represents a dangerous precedent in AI-driven law enforcement, prompting renewed demands for oversight and stricter compliance with surveillance regulations.
Milwaukee Council Opposes Police Facial Recognition Data-Sharing Deal
A majority of Milwaukee’s Common Council has publicly opposed a proposed data-sharing deal between the city’s police department and Biometrica, which would exchange 2.5 million mugshots for free access to facial recognition tools. In an open letter, 11 of 15 alderpersons raised concerns over privacy, civil liberties, and the absence of public input. The deal remains unfinalized, but the opposition introduces major political hurdles. The controversy underscores broader tensions around law enforcement use of biometric data and may influence how other cities approach public-private facial recognition partnerships.
ByteDance Moves to Dismiss TikTok Biometric Privacy Lawsuit in US Courts
ByteDance has filed a motion to dismiss amended claims in a biometric privacy lawsuit alleging TikTok collected users’ facial data without consent. The company argues the claims lack specificity, show no actual harm, and are already addressed by a $92 million 2021 settlement covering conduct before October 13, 2022. Plaintiffs assert that biometric data collection continued beyond that date through video filters and facial effects, without clear disclosure. The case, brought under Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, highlights ongoing legal scrutiny of TikTok’s data practices and could shape future standards for biometric consent on social platforms.
Bayometric Live Scan Software Earns FBI Certification for Fingerprint Systems
Bayometric’s Live Scan fingerprint software has received FBI Appendix F Certification, verifying compliance with the FBI’s top standards for image quality and NGI system compatibility. The software supports 500ppi imaging, full slap and roll capture, and EBTS-compliant EFT file generation for secure data submission. Compatible with major fingerprint scanners, it’s positioned for integration into law enforcement and identity systems. The certification aligns with growing global demand for high-assurance biometric tools in the public sector.
Microsoft Teams Collection of Students’ Biometric Data Provokes Concern in NSW
Microsoft’s face and voice enrollment feature in Teams was enabled by default across public schools in New South Wales without prior approval, prompting privacy concerns. Designed to enhance meeting transcription and speaker clarity, the feature creates biometric profiles from user data. The NSW Department of Education disabled the setting in April and confirmed deletion of any biometric profiles created. Critics, including the Shadow Education Minister, condemned the lack of transparency and parental notification. The incident highlights growing scrutiny over biometric data governance in public institutions and calls for stronger oversight of default settings in education technology platforms.
Greece and Cyprus Link Digital ID Systems in Historic Cross-Border Integration
Greece and Cyprus have launched cross-border interoperability between their digital identity wallet platforms, allowing citizens to use digital ID cards and driving licenses for domestic services in either country. The integration links Greece’s Gov.gr Wallet with Cyprus’s Digital Citizen app and aligns with EU efforts under the eIDAS 2.0 framework for interoperable digital IDs by 2026. The systems follow European Commission standards for privacy and data control. Despite technical progress, adoption remains low, with only 36,000 Cypriot users onboarded. Both countries plan to expand wallet features to drive engagement and serve as a model for EU-wide digital identity implementation.
REACT Slashes ID Verification Time to 30 Seconds with New Regula Integration
Digital ID provider REACT has integrated Regula’s Document Reader SDK into its ID Wallet platform, enabling over 90 percent of identity verification workflows to complete automatically and reducing average onboarding time to under 30 seconds. The integration cuts manual checks by 30 percent and boosts accuracy with features like liveness detection and zone cross-validation. Regula’s database supports 15,000+ document types from 251 jurisdictions, ensuring broad verification coverage.
iDenfy Partners with iGaming Express to Boost Gambling ID Verification
iGaming Express has partnered with identity verification platform iDenfy to enhance remote ID verification for regulated gambling markets. The collaboration integrates iDenfy’s automated KYC technology into iGaming Express’s consultancy services, aiming to improve security and compliance while streamlining onboarding processes. The move follows iDenfy’s recent global expansion efforts and G2 recognition as a top identity verification provider. As regulatory demands tighten, the partnership supports operators in meeting evolving standards and reflects a broader shift toward advanced digital identity measures in high-risk sectors like iGaming.
Azerbaijan Railways Links to National Digital ID System for Enhanced Access
Azerbaijan Railways CJSC has integrated its e-services portal with digital.login, the country’s national digital ID system, enabling secure access via state-supported credentials such as SİMA İmza and Asan İmza. The integration enhances user authentication for services like ticketing and cargo tracking without requiring re-registration. Developed in coordination with the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, the move supports Azerbaijan’s broader digital governance strategy and single-window e-government model. Future upgrades will focus on modernizing ticketing, cargo, and safety systems to reduce paper use and improve efficiency across the national transport network.
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May 20, 2025 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
