Biometric Update for January 16, 2026

Daily biometrics news and exclusive features about biometrics companies.

UK ETA, eVISA milestones position Entrust to expand citizen identity footprint

By Chris Burt

Jan 14, 2026 - The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization system and eVISA is backed of Entrust’s Citizen Identity Orchestration solution and scaling successfully, according…

Thailand introduces face biometrics verification to fight health sector fraud

By Ayang Macdonald

Jan 16, 2026 - The government of Thailand is adding facial scans to the patient verification process within the framework of the country’s Universal…

In AI era, identity is about governance, Microblink’s Hartley Thompson tells BU Podcast

By Joel R. McConvey

Jan 16, 2026 - “One of the defining things in my life is change,” says Hartley Thompson of Microblink. “How do you react to…

Hopae appoints Sarah Clark to lead US expansion of digital ID verification platform

By Chris Burt

Jan 16, 2026 - Sarah Clark is Hopae’s new CPO and GM for North America, joining the Seoul-headquartered company to help extend the reach…

Bahrain financial services deploy biometric KYC and IDV with new eKey for business

By Masha Borak

Jan 16, 2026 - Bahraini financial service companies are integrating Bahrain’s national biometric digital identity and Know Your Customer (KYC) service for businesses, EKEY-B,…

Identity and risk infrastructure startup secures $12M for Europe, LATAM expansion

By Joel R. McConvey

Jan 16, 2026 - Monnai, which provides identity and risk data infrastructure, has announced a 12 million dollar equity funding round led by Motive…

Australian age assurance law prompts removal of 4.7M underage accounts

By Joel R. McConvey

Jan 16, 2026 - Australian regulators have released initial results from the country’s social media age restriction, showing that major social media companies removed…

CLR Labs wins funding to support biometrics, IAD, digital wallet standardization

By Joel R. McConvey

Jan 16, 2026 - Cabinet Louis Reynaud (CLR Labs) has won funding from a French government program to support its standardization efforts in biometrics,…

Checkr crossed $800M gross in 2025 as biometric background checks expand

By Chris Burt

Jan 16, 2026 - Biometric background check provider Checkr is celebrating 2025 as its most successful year ever, with gross revenue surpassing $800 million…

ICE using data and probability to decide where to detain and arrest people

By Anthony Kimery

Jan 16, 2026 - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enhanced Leads Identification & Targeting for Enforcement (ELITE) tool is being used to identify “targets”…

SİMA İmza digital signature accelerates Azerbaijan’s digital transformation

By Chris Burt

Jan 12, 2026 - Azerbaijan is in the midst of a major digital transformation. The government is digitalizing processes and issuing the tools for…

A New Year’s resolution for AI - don’t blame the bot

By Fraser Sampson

Jan 16, 2026 - By Professor Fraser Sampson, former UK Biometrics & Surveillance Camera Commissioner According to the old saying, blaming our tools is a…

The Biometric Update Podcast

Clear, compelling stories about the biometrics and digital identity industry. Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple or Podbean.

In AI era, identity is about governance, Microblink’s Hartley Thompson tells BU Podcast

The Trust Files launch with a vital question from Orchestrating Identity

ICE using data and probability to decide where to detain and arrest people
Anthony Kimery | 3 hours ago

CLR Labs wins funding to support biometrics, IAD, digital wallet standardization
Joel R. McConvey | 7 hours ago

Checkr crossed $800M gross in 2025 as biometric background checks expand
Chris Burt | 7 hours ago

Identity and risk infrastructure startup secures $12M for Europe, LATAM expansion
Joel R. McConvey | 7 hours ago

Hopae appoints Sarah Clark to lead US expansion of digital ID verification platform
Chris Burt | 8 hours ago

Bahrain financial services deploy biometric KYC and IDV with new eKey for business
Masha Borak | 8 hours ago

Australian age assurance law prompts removal of 4.7M underage accounts
Joel R. McConvey | 10 hours ago

Thailand introduces face biometrics verification to fight health sector fraud
Ayang Macdonald | 15 hours ago

KYA emerges as essential tool to ensure agentic AI is trustworthy
Joel R. McConvey | 15 hours ago

UNHCR lauds role of Fayda digital ID in facilitating life for Ethiopia refugees
Ayang Macdonald | 18 hours ago

A New Year’s resolution for AI – don’t blame the bot
Fraser Sampson | 20 hours ago

Digital identity’s role in IATA’s ecosystem grows with NDC, Macau’s One ID launch
Chris Burt | Yesterday

Lawmakers move to rein in ICE’s use of mobile facial recognition
Anthony Kimery | Yesterday

Inetum installing biometric scanners at 2 Spanish ports for EES rollout
Chris Burt | Yesterday

SmartSearch completes acquisition of Credas to boost compliance capabilities
Joel R. McConvey | Yesterday

NetChoice keeps fighting Arkansas’ efforts to regulate youth access to social media
Joel R. McConvey | Yesterday

Iraq measures DPI progress: 90% digital ID uptake, 859 egov services
Lu-Hai Liang | Yesterday

ID renting big problem for gig economy; the ‘right friction’ could curb rampant fraud
Lu-Hai Liang | Yesterday

DCI launches digital identity interoperability standards for social protection
Lu-Hai Liang | Yesterday

HID, Ory partner on FIDO-based, one-credential identity platform for unified access
Joel R. McConvey | Yesterday

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Features and Industry Interviews

Biometric Update offers exclusive features and in-depth interviews with executives in the biometrics industry.

In AI era, identity is about governance, Microblink’s Hartley Thompson tells BU Podcast

By Joel R. McConvey

Jan 16, 2026 - “One of the defining things in my life is change,” says Hartley Thompson of Microblink. “How do you react to…

More Interviews and Features

UK ETA, eVISA milestones position Entrust to expand citizen identity footprint
Chris Burt | 2 days ago

SİMA İmza digital signature accelerates Azerbaijan’s digital transformation
Chris Burt | 5 days ago

Testing age checks for Oz: Andrew Hammond of KJR talks trust on BU Podcast
Joel R. McConvey | 7 days ago

Biometric identity verification is adapting to AI: 5 leading providers share how
Chris Burt | 7 days ago

AI, fraud and market timing drive biometrics consolidation in 2025 … and maybe 2026
Chris Burt | 3 weeks ago

One check to rule them all: quest for reusable age assurance to ramp up in 2026
Joel R. McConvey | 3 weeks ago

How DPI can accelerate Africa’s push for a single market
Ayang Macdonald | 3 weeks ago

Will the EUDI Wallet be ready in 2026? Experts say probably not
Masha Borak | 3 weeks ago

Industry Insights

Biometric Update Industry Insights feature biometrics and digital ID industry experts discussing their unique perspectives.

A New Year’s resolution for AI – don’t blame the bot

By Fraser Sampson

Jan 16, 2026 - By Professor Fraser Sampson, former UK Biometrics & Surveillance Camera Commissioner According to the old saying, blaming our tools is a…

More Industry Insights

Digital trust: Reflections on 2025 and outlook for 2026
Alan Goode | 3 weeks ago

The most unbelievable cyber statistic of 2025?
Fraser Sampson | 3 weeks ago

The AI identity crisis: Why traditional IAM is no match for agentic AI
Joseph Dhanapal | 4 weeks ago

Digital identity and fraud risk in the UK: Preparing for what comes next
Dave Rossi | 4 weeks ago

Exposed – will AI biometrics leave spies out in the cold?
Fraser Sampson | 4 weeks ago

Australia’s under-16 social media ban exposes the urgent need for privacy-first age verification
Sarah Bone | 1 month ago

Digital Identity in Developing Nations

With UN SDG 16.9 calling for legal identity for all by 2030, Biometric Update is taking a special in-depth focus on digital ID projects in developing countries.