Biometrics are reaching a crucial point in the adoption curve, with a Mastercard survey showing and a Juniper report forecasting that people are ready to use new technologies, and convinced of the main value proposition of biometric technology. People have privacy and security concerns, however, and a hacker group showed why this week. Facial recognition also made headlines for research from Herta and academics on look-alikes, a possible new regional HQ for NtechLab, and UK trust framework certification for Amiqus. NIST's image quality standard is now on a timeline, meanwhile, and details emerged in IriTech's search for a strategic investor. A Mastercard survey indicates that roughly seven out of ten consumers find biometrics easier and more secure than other authentication options, but just over half are willing to use the technology to save time.

Biometrics adoption is being encouraged in the public sector for digital ID and online government applications, as it continues to rise in the private sector from smartphones, where Fingerprint Cards has announced new wins to airport processes, where NEC technology is being deployed and Vision-Box is positioning for more growth. National digital ID programs are under the microscope, while Thales has signed a major deal in Vietnam, and a debate has broken out on facial recognition ethics between Oosto and Clearview AI. The potential for digital identity to boost national economies is examined by the World Economic Forum in a new white paper. The WEF sees digital ID as benefitting people by easing access to a range of services, helping small and medium-sized businesses with easier access to financing, and help establish robust growth in digital service industries, with China's digital wealth-management market offered as an example. Research ICT Africa has released a series of extensive reports delving into the digital identity systems in 10 African countries.