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:
Kyrgyzstan Expands Biometric Systems Ahead of Snap Elections
Kyrgyzstan’s Central Election Commission has expanded digital election infrastructure ahead of the November 30 snap parliamentary polls. Citizens can now update registration and change polling stations through a biometric-enabled online portal, while state institution Kyzmat has been appointed to manage voter-ID systems and data uploads. The CEC says the system, refined since 2017, is transparent enough to reduce the need for mass election observation.
Ukraine Launches Biometric Identification of War Victims
Ukraine’s Cabinet has approved an experimental project to identify deceased individuals using biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images. Authorized bodies will match records against the National Biometric Verification and Identification System and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ AFIS, covering more than 26.6 million entries. Officials say the system will accelerate identification relative to DNA-only methods and allow proactive biometric enrollment of service members for post-mortem searches.
Kenya Adds Iris Biometrics to Voter Registration
Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has begun a voter registration drive that, for the first time, includes iris scans alongside fingerprints, ID card scans, and photos. The campaign targets 6.3 million new voters ahead of the 2027 elections, with iris capture described by an IEBC commissioner as a step to improve accuracy and deter duplicate registrations. The Commission has also pledged to review legal provisions covering the new biometric measure.
UK Labour to Consult Public on Police Use of Live Facial Recognition
Policing minister Sarah Jones says the UK government will hold a public consultation on live facial recognition before considering a wider national roll-out. The move comes as the Home Office has already deployed vans to seven forces, with the Metropolitan Police reporting 580 arrests in a year. Civil rights regulators have warned the technology is likely unlawful without a dedicated legal framework, and Labour says the consultation will help establish clear parameters.
New South Wales to Replace Facial Recognition in Licence and Photo Card Register
Transport for NSW has launched procurement for a new facial recognition system to replace NEC’s platform by the end of 2026. The new solution must support one-to-one verification and one-to-many identification, enabling checks against driver records and other agencies’ data to prevent duplicate or fraudulent licences. The procurement coincides with state pilots of verifiable digital Photo Cards delivered through the Service NSW app.
Swiss Voters Narrowly Approve State-Run e-ID
Swiss voters have approved the Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services by 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent, reversing a 2021 rejection. The new e-ID will be state-run, optional, and free, delivered via the federal Swiyu wallet infrastructure. The scheme is designed for both public and private sector use and aligns with Switzerland’s plan to issue biometric ID cards by 2026.
North Dakota to Support Apple Wallet IDs
North Dakota residents will soon be able to add driver’s licences and IDs to Apple Wallet, with rollout expected in October and a $5 fee for the digital credential. The IDs are already accepted at over 250 TSA checkpoints for domestic air travel, though travelers must continue carrying physical cards. North Dakota follows Montana’s August launch, expanding Apple Wallet ID support to a growing list of U.S. states.
Saudi Arabia Approves Visitor ID for Bank Account Opening
Saudi Arabia’s central bank has authorized the use of the government-issued Visitor ID to open bank accounts, verified through digital platforms such as Absher. The move expands financial access to short-term visitors, including business travelers and pilgrims, and is part of Vision 2030’s financial inclusion agenda. Previously, most banks required residency permits for account opening.
Credence ID Achieves ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification
Credence ID has earned ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for its organization-wide information security management system. The standard verifies security controls across people, processes, and technology, with the 2022 revision adding controls for cloud services, secure coding, and threat intelligence. The certification strengthens Credence ID’s positioning in government and enterprise procurement, where the standard is increasingly required.
By the ID Tech Editorial Team