ID Tech Digest – September 24, 2025

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:

South Africa To Roll Out Electronic Travel Authorisation In October 2025

South Africa will introduce a digital Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) starting in October 2025. The phased rollout begins with travelers from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico during the G20 summit period before expanding more widely. The Department of Home Affairs describes the eTA as part of its modernization strategy, integrating biometrics at ports of entry.

San Diego Opens New Terminal 1 With SITA Biometric Systems

San Diego International Airport has opened its new Terminal 1, featuring SITA’s biometric boarding pods, common-use check-in counters, and dynamic signage. The first phase adds 19 gates, with expansion to 30 by 2028. The launch aligns with broader U.S. adoption of biometric exit checks and with SITA’s global deployments of face-based passenger processing.

One Identity Names Praerit Garg As CEO To Drive AI-First Strategy

One Identity has appointed Praerit Garg as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Mark Logan. Backed by Clearlake Capital, the company says Garg will lead an AI-driven roadmap across its unified identity platform. His background spans leadership roles at Smartsheet, AWS, and Microsoft, with experience in SaaS product innovation and large-scale identity systems.

New Orleans Delays Vote On Expanded Police Use Of Facial Recognition

The New Orleans City Council has postponed action on a proposal to expand police access to facial recognition. Debate continues over the role of the private Project NOLA camera network, civil liberties concerns, and potential conflicts with a new Louisiana state law. The city’s existing framework allows limited use under reporting requirements but does not provide NOPD with its own system.

Massive Attack Rejects Facial Recognition Claims, Cites Face Detection Stage Effect

Massive Attack has denied reports that its concerts used facial recognition, clarifying that a stage effect used live-only face detection and a fictional database. The band said no personal data was collected or stored, describing the sequence as satire on surveillance capitalism. The clarification follows coverage that had portrayed the visuals as audience scanning.

Apple To Add U.S. Passports To Wallet Digital ID Later In 2025

Apple has updated its iOS 26 features page to confirm that U.S. passport support in Wallet will launch later this year. The Digital ID will be usable at select TSA checkpoints for domestic travel, but not for border crossing. The rollout builds on TSA’s growing acceptance of mobile IDs and parallels other wallet-based credential initiatives.

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By the ID Tech Editorial Team