Developments in biometrics policy, liveness detection, and facial recognition dominated recent headlines, as digital surveillance and services expand globally. News ranges from the use of facial recognition technology by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the growing implementation of age assurance systems, often combining face biometrics with liveness detection.
Immigration and Law Enforcement
NEC supplies the facial recognition technology for ICE’s Mobile Fortify app, as revealed in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) 2025 AI Use Case Inventory. DHS classifies facial recognition systems as bespoke government capabilities, subjecting them to lower transparency requirements than commercial AI.
A lawsuit alleges ICE is utilizing facial recognition on children, despite a DHS policy—now removed from the agency’s website—prohibiting its use as the sole basis for enforcement action. DHS maintains the public is not entitled to know the specifics of what is permitted.
The UK government is investing hundreds of millions of pounds to expand law enforcement facial recognition capabilities. Plans include acquiring 40 additional vans for live facial recognition deployment, establishing a National Policing Service, and creating a National Centre for AI in Policing.
Age Checks
VPN use in the UK may soon be subject to age restrictions, potentially expanding the age assurance market. However, an amendment to introduce this restriction passed the House of Lords without strong Labour support, casting doubt on its future in the Commons. Meanwhile, a leading advocate for online child safety has criticized Ofcom for a “timid” implementation of the Online Safety Act (OSA).
Aylo attributes a significant drop in UK traffic to the OSA and claims enforcement is driving users to non-compliant pornographic sites. As a result, Aylo will block all UK users, arguing that blocking VPNs is ineffective when device-level controls are available.
Yoti is the first face biometrics provider to pass iBeta’s Level 3 assessment for its passive biometric liveness detection technology. CEO Robin Tombs stated the company rebuilt its liveness detection with a new architecture to enhance its resilience against sophisticated presentation attacks.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) convened a workshop to examine the intersection of age assurance and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Representatives from AVPA, Persona, Yoti, and others showcased available tools, exploring age verification and facial age estimation as both a practical necessity and a moral imperative.
Stakeholders in age assurance policy often hold perspectives shaped by ideological positions or self-interest. Tech companies and their lobbyists emphasize algorithmic prowess, ease of implementation, existing protections, and even Swine Tech in their arguments.
National ID
India’s Aadhaar digital ID now supports biometric liveness checks, age verification, and selective data sharing through a new app. Verifiable credentials will also be available on Google Wallet within weeks.
Dutch cloud infrastructure provider Solvinity, which supports the national digital ID DigiD, is in talks to be acquired by U.S.-based Kyndryl. However, the Dutch Parliament is urging the government to block the deal or remove Solvinity from the system, citing national security concerns.
Thales North America VP of Identity and Biometrics Solutions, Tyson Moler, shared insights into public trust in digital identity based on a company survey.
Indonesia’s ID and civil registration authority is seeking passive liveness detection technology for integration with its IKD platform to modernize public service delivery for over 16 million people.
Elsewhere, in Consumer Applications and Healthcare
Amazon has discontinued Amazon One, its palm biometrics service, in early June due to limited consumer adoption.
Omdia Senior Analyst Runar Bjorhovde suggests smartphone biometrics is awaiting its “Intel Inside” moment, where consumers recognize the importance of the technology. Biometrics providers need to increase marketing efforts, particularly with the emergence of foldable phones. Next Biometrics and Giantplus are focusing on “anywhere-on-display” fingerprint technology.
Imprivata Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sean Kelly discussed the importance of passwordless technology in healthcare in a recent Biometric Update Podcast episode.
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