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:
Kmart Found in Breach of Privacy Laws Over Facial Recognition Trial
Australia’s privacy regulator ruled that Kmart unlawfully used facial recognition in 28 stores between 2020 and 2022 by collecting biometric data without consent or proper notification. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner ordered Kmart not to reinstate the system and to publish a disclosure. The decision follows a similar case against Bunnings and reinforces stricter requirements for transparency and proportionality in biometric data use.
EU Court Accepts Gait Recognition Evidence in Murder Case
A European court accepted gait and body-structure biometrics as admissible evidence in a murder trial after investigators extracted 30 matching gait parameters from night-vision video footage. The case highlights how hybrid biometric modalities are entering the courtroom, even under poor recording conditions, and raises questions about evidentiary standards, error rates, and privacy protections under EU law.
Italian Watchdog Suspends Facial Recognition Boarding at Milan Airport
Italy’s privacy authority suspended the “Faceboarding” system at Milan’s Linate Airport, finding violations of GDPR rules including long data retention, weak encryption, and insufficient user control. The operator, SEA, has defended the system but is cooperating with regulators. The decision reflects growing scrutiny of airport biometrics across Europe and the need to balance passenger convenience with privacy safeguards.
Live Facial Recognition Cameras Rolled Out in Bedford Town Centre
Bedfordshire Police deployed live facial recognition vans in Bedford for the first time as part of a national Home Office program funding 10 new units across seven police forces. Authorities say the technology will target serious offenders, while critics warn of bias and inadequate legal safeguards. The rollout extends LFR adoption across UK towns and cities, following previous trials in Suffolk and London.
Kuwait’s Aviation Authority Drops Fingerprint Attendance, Mandates Facial Recognition
Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has banned fingerprint attendance systems and made facial recognition mandatory for all staff. Enrollment points have already been installed, completing a transition that began earlier this year. The move reflects a preference for contactless biometrics in workplace settings, even as fingerprinting remains central to Kuwait’s national identity system.
South Africa’s Contactable Raises USD 13.5 Million to Scale Digital ID and eKYC Across Africa
South African digital identity provider Contactable secured USD 13.5 million from investors including Venture Capitalworks and Fireball Capital. Founded in 2012, the company offers an integrated identity platform covering onboarding, fraud prevention, and KYC. The new funding will support expansion into additional African markets, positioning the firm in a growing landscape of digital ID initiatives across the continent.
Indonesian Government Weighs Facial Scanning to Verify Social Media Users
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is considering facial scanning as part of social media verification efforts to curb anonymous abuse, misinformation, and deepfakes. The proposal would need to comply with the Personal Data Protection Law, which treats biometrics as sensitive data. Indonesia has already piloted face verification in public services, raising questions about proportionality and consent if extended to private platforms.
Wearable Devices Lands U.S. Patent for Gesture-and-Voice Interface With Biometric Authentication
Wearable Devices Ltd. received U.S. Patent 12,340,027 B2 for a hybrid input system that combines voice commands with gesture controls and incorporates neural and voice signatures for user authentication. The design aims to improve precision and security in AR, VR, and wearable devices. The development reflects a broader industry trend toward multimodal, biometrically aware interfaces.
By the ID Tech Editorial Team