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:
Keyless Makes Strong Debut in NIST FRVT Program
Keyless ranked among the top 50 algorithms globally in the Mugshot category of the NIST Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT) 1:1 Verification evaluations. The algorithm demonstrated strong performance in constrained scenarios like VISA and BORDER datasets. It achieved a False Match Rate (FMR) of 0.00001 and a False Non-Match Rate (FNMR) of 0.0025 in the Mugshot category for images captured over a 12-year span. In VISA scenarios, the FNMR was 0.0031 at an FMR of 0.000001, with similar accuracy in BORDER datasets under less controlled conditions. Keyless employs privacy-preserving Zero-Knowledge Biometrics technology, ensuring no biometric data is stored on devices or in the cloud. This debut achievement follows a year of significant growth, including a 657 percent increase in annual recurring revenue, positioning Keyless as a competitive player in privacy-focused biometric solutions.
Prove Acquires Portabl to Expand Digital Identity Verification Capabilities
Prove has acquired Portabl, a digital identity company focused on reusable ID verification and networks. Portabl, a graduate of Mastercard’s Start Path program, brings compliance with W3C standards for verifiable credentials, aligning with global trends in standardized digital credentials. The acquisition will enhance Prove’s mobile identity solutions by integrating Portabl’s technology, enabling secure storage and selective sharing of user verifications via device-independent wallets. Portabl’s platform aligns with initiatives like the European Union’s cross-border digital identity standards, addressing privacy, consent management, and data interoperability. Prove now positions itself to build one of the industry’s largest trust networks, leveraging Portabl’s expertise as organizations globally prioritize secure and interoperable digital identity ecosystems.
Illinois to Launch Digital Driver’s Licenses in Apple Wallet This Year
Illinois will launch digital driver’s licenses and state IDs via Apple Wallet by the end of 2025, becoming the 12th U.S. state to adopt mobile ID technology. Enabled by House Bill 4592, this initiative allows residents to store licenses on iPhones and Apple Watches, meeting ISO 18013-5 standards for mobile identification. These standards ensure secure, interoperable functionality with selective disclosure for privacy protection. The rollout aligns with federal Real ID requirements, effective May 7, 2025, mandating Real ID-compliant identification for air travel and federal building access.
Paravision Is Highest-ranking U.S. Firm in NIST FRTE Visa-border Evaluation
Paravision secured a top five global ranking in the visa-border category of the latest NIST Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE) 1:N test, emerging as the highest-ranked vendor from the United States and Europe. The company placed in the top ten across all tested scenarios, a distinction shared by only five vendors globally. Paravision’s Gen 7 Face Recognition model, set for release later this year, showed significant improvements, with error rates reduced by 42 percent compared to Gen 5 and 15 percent compared to Gen 6. These advancements build on the company’s expertise in deepfake detection and collaborations with government agencies.
Sri Lanka to Launch Digital National ID Cards This Month, with Indian Tech Support
Sri Lanka is set to launch digital National Identity Cards (NICs) in January 2025, modernizing its identification system with a Rs. 20 billion initiative. Half of the funding comes from India, leveraging expertise from its Aadhaar program. An Indian company will provide technical assistance, while Sri Lanka retains sole access to citizens’ data. The move addresses delays in NIC issuance, transitioning all new cards to a digital format. However, privacy concerns have emerged, with critics questioning the integration of biometric data. Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne assured the public that the government alone would manage data security. This upgrade represents Sri Lanka’s largest identity system reform in over 50 years, aligning with regional trends in digital ID modernization.
Invixium Launches Enterprise Series Biometric Access Control Devices for SMB Market
Invixium has launched its Enterprise Series, introducing two biometric access control devices tailored for small and medium businesses (SMBs). The IXM ROSTO combines facial recognition and card authentication with dual cameras, a 5-inch touchscreen, liveness detection, and multiple connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, BLE, and NFC. The IXM TOUCH 3 focuses on fingerprint authentication with an FBI-certified sensor and a 3.5-inch touchscreen. Both devices are IP65-rated for durability and integrate with major access control panels through IXM LINK. Priced competitively, the devices aim to bring enterprise-grade security to SMBs. This launch complements Invixium’s IXM WEB 3.0 platform, which integrates with Galaxy Control Systems for unified biometric and access management. The series is available for preorder, with shipping set to begin on March 31, 2025.
Humanity Protocol Launches New ‘Humanity Foundation’ to Promote Digital ID Ecosystem
The Humanity Protocol has established the Humanity Foundation in the Cayman Islands to advance Proof of Humanity solutions and expand its ecosystem. The foundation’s leadership includes Animoca Brands Chairman Yat Siu, Mario Nawfal of International Blockchain Consulting, and interim CEO Yeewai Chong, who emphasizes biometrics as a cornerstone for secure, decentralized identity systems. The protocol employs privacy-preserving palm vein biometric verification to ensure unique identities, enabling users to add credentials like education and employment history securely. Led by Terence Kwok, the Human Institute focuses on technical development, strategic partnerships, and hardware innovations for campus and mobile identity verification.
WorldCoin Reaches 10M Users Despite Global Regulatory Challenges
WorldCoin, now rebranded as “World,” has surpassed 10 million verified users despite operational bans in multiple countries due to privacy concerns surrounding its iris biometric verification technology. Its Orb devices collect biometric data to establish proof of personhood, a system aimed at addressing challenges posed by AI advancements. However, regulatory actions have highlighted significant privacy issues. Kenya initiated the first ban in 2023, with subsequent restrictions imposed in Spain, Portugal, Hong Kong, and South Korea, where fines were levied for data protection violations. Investigations have also been launched in Colombia and other jurisdictions. While World asserts compliance with legal standards, these challenges underscore the global debate over digital ID systems.
J.P. Morgan Unveils POS Terminals with Biometric Authentication
J.P. Morgan Payments has unveiled the JP Morgan Paypad and JP Morgan Pinpad, proprietary point-of-sale (POS) terminals equipped with biometric authentication capabilities. These devices use palm vein and facial recognition technologies to enhance transaction security while ensuring efficient checkout experiences in retail settings. Part of a broader industry trend toward biometrics in payments, this initiative addresses increasing security concerns and the limitations of traditional PIN-based methods. With global biometric payment adoption projected to grow significantly by 2030, these devices aim to balance customer convenience with fraud prevention. A U.S. launch is planned for later this year, followed by an international rollout, reflecting the growing regulatory and technological shift toward authentication solutions.
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January 14, 2025 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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