The intersection of biometrics, surveillance, and digital services is rapidly expanding globally, prompting both innovation and scrutiny. Recent developments, from law enforcement applications in the U.S. and UK to the evolving landscape of age assurance, highlight the increasing reliance on technologies like facial recognition and liveness detection.
Law Enforcement and Immigration Concerns
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is utilizing facial recognition technology through its Mobile Fortify app, with NEC identified as the technology supplier. This was revealed as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) 2025 AI Use Case Inventory. Notably, DHS categorizes these facial recognition systems as bespoke government capabilities, a designation that subjects them to less stringent transparency requirements than commercially available AI.
A lawsuit has been filed alleging ICE’s use of facial recognition technology on children. While a DHS policy previously stated that facial recognition should not be the sole basis for enforcement actions, that directive has reportedly disappeared from the agency’s website, and the agency is not disclosing what is currently permitted. Meanwhile, the UK government is investing hundreds of millions of pounds to expand law enforcement’s facial recognition capabilities, planning to deploy 40 additional vans equipped with live facial recognition technology and establish a National Policing Service and a National Centre for AI in Policing.
The Rise of Age Assurance
The UK is considering age restrictions for VPN use, a move that would further expand the age assurance market. However, an amendment to introduce this restriction faced opposition in the House of Lords and may fail in the Commons. Simultaneously, concerns are being raised about the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act (OSA), with one child safety advocate criticizing Ofcom’s “timid” implementation. Aylo, a content provider, has announced it will block all UK users, citing the OSA as detrimental to its business and pushing users towards non-compliant sites.
Yoti has become the first face biometrics provider to achieve Level 3 assessment for its passive biometric liveness detection technology from iBeta, demonstrating its robustness against sophisticated spoofing attempts. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) convened a workshop to explore the intersection of age assurance and COPPA, recognizing the need for solutions to address the fact that one-third of internet users are under the age of 18.
Digital Identity Expansion and Concerns
India’s Aadhaar digital ID system now supports biometric liveness checks, age verification, and selective data sharing through a new app, with integration with Google Wallet planned. In the Netherlands, a proposed sale of Solvinity, which provides cloud infrastructure for the Dutch national digital ID (DigiD), to a U.S.-based company has raised national security concerns within the Dutch Parliament. Indonesia is also seeking passive liveness detection technology for its IKD platform to improve public service delivery for over 16 million citizens.
Consumer adoption of biometric technologies continues to evolve. Amazon has discontinued its Amazon One palm biometrics service due to limited uptake. Smartphone biometrics, while still prevalent, are reportedly awaiting a breakthrough moment to fully capture consumer awareness, and companies like Next Biometrics are exploring “anywhere-on-display” fingerprint technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is liveness detection?
Liveness detection is a security measure used to verify that a user is a real, live person and not a photograph, video, or other artificial representation. It is often used in conjunction with facial recognition to prevent fraud.
What is the concern regarding ICE’s use of facial recognition?
Concerns center around allegations that ICE is using facial recognition technology on children and the lack of transparency surrounding the agency’s policies, particularly after a relevant DHS directive disappeared from its website.
What is Aadhaar?
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number issued to all Indian residents based on their biometric and demographic data. It is now being expanded to include liveness checks, age verification, and data sharing capabilities.
As biometric technologies become increasingly integrated into daily life, questions surrounding privacy, security, and ethical considerations will likely remain at the forefront of public discourse.
