Over the past several years, we’ve witnessed an exciting yet complex evolution in biometrics. The industry is undergoing rapid technological advancements, a shifting regulatory landscape, and diverse consumer and business sentiments that shape the future of biometric identity verification solutions. In this blog, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of biometrics regulations, technology, and sentiment.
The Technological Landscape: Advancements and Challenges
Improvements in machine learning, AI, and computer vision have fueled advancements in biometric technology. Here are some key trends shaping the landscape:
- Multimodal Biometric Systems: Fingerprint and facial recognition remain the most used biometric methods. On the rise are multimodal systems, which combine two or more biometric traits, like face and voice or iris and fingerprint recognition. By combining traits, these systems can bolster security with a more accurate verification.
- Contactless Biometric Solutions: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the demand for contactless biometric systems, particularly facial recognition and voice recognition technologies, and technology hasn’t looked back since. Both consumers and employees continue a demand for contactless solutions, and businesses are keeping up with the demand for these frictionless experiences.
- Improvements in Accuracy: A traditional concern about biometrics was how accurate it was; in addition, especially with facial biometrics, how reliable it could authenticate diverse populations. Today, advancements in algorithms has resulted in better accuracy with faster verification speeds.
- Behavioral Biometrics: By focusing on unique behavioral traits, including the way people walk to how they type and more, this method of biometrics can provide continuous authentication with little intrusion to a user.
- Real-Time Identification and Fraud Detection: The sophistication of fraud has led to a rise in technology to instantly verify identities and detect any fraudulent activities. Coupling biometric authentication with advanced ML algorithms, this process has proven especially useful in sectors like finance, e-commerce, and government.
Updated standards are also following these advancements. As of January 2025, ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 37 has published 143 standards in biometrics. These standards cover areas such as biometric vocabulary, data interchange formats, sample quality, and performance testing, providing a framework for consistent and reliable biometric system implementation.
However, despite advancements, challenges still exist. Accuracy in certain conditions, such as low-light environments for facial recognition or the presence of injury for fingerprint recognition, continues to be an issue. Moreover, the need for scalability in biometric systems is another significant hurdle for organizations looking to implement these technologies at scale. In addition, bad actors are always changing and evolving their techniques, meaning biometric solutions must also keep up.
Biometrics Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Complex Compliance Requirements
Biometrics regulation is currently fragmented, with different countries and regions taking varying approaches to the use of biometric data. It can be difficult to stay compliant as these regulations shift. And it’s crucial to do so, as noncompliance can come costly fines. Here’s a closer look at the current state of regulation:
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) – EU: The GDPR is perhaps the most well-known regulation affecting biometric data. Because it classifies biometric data as “special category” data, it is subject to strict requirements regarding consent, storage, and processing. Organizations operating in or with EU citizens must be diligent about obtaining explicit consent for the collection of biometric data and be transparent about its use.
- CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act): In the US, California’s CCPA impacts the use of biometric data by establishing consumer rights regarding the collection, sale, and access to personal data. Businesses that use biometrics for identity verification must be transparent with customers about how their data is used and ensure it is secure.
- Biometric Data Use in the Asia-Pacific Region: Countries like China and India are adopting different approaches to biometric regulation. In China, the use of biometric data is relatively unrestricted, but privacy concerns are mounting. Meanwhile, in India, the Supreme Court has ruled against the unrestricted use of biometrics, mandating strong privacy protection measures. Regulations in the region continue to evolve, which creates uncertainty for businesses operating internationally.
- Upcoming Legislation: In the U.S., legislation is underway in various states. For instance, various states are considering biometric privacy laws similar to Illinois’ BIPA (Biometric Information Privacy Act), which imposes strict requirements on businesses that collect biometric data.
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
The patchwork of evolving regulations around biometric data means it’s critical to establish clear compliance frameworks when implementing biometric systems. The risks of non-compliance can include hefty fines, litigation, and reputational damage. Vendors must invest in robust, secure systems that meet the diverse legal requirements across jurisdictions, and this will continue to be a major priority for organizations in the years to come.
Consumer and Business Sentiment: The Push and Pull of Biometric Adoption
There’s a balancing act between convenience, security, privacy, and trust regarding the use of biometrics.
Consumer Sentiment
Consumers are increasingly open to biometric solutions, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, where touchless and low-friction authentication systems are seen as a convenience and safety measure. Here’s what consumers are saying:
- Convenience vs. Privacy Concerns: While consumers appreciate the speed and ease that biometric authentication offers, privacy concerns remain at the forefront. The rise of high-profile data breaches and surveillance concerns has led many to question how their biometric data is being stored and used. Consumers are still wary about invasive surveillance, leading to fears that personal privacy and/or anonymity in public places are at stake.
- Trust in Service Providers: Trust is paramount. Consumers need to feel confident that their biometric data will be handled securely, with clear and transparent data privacy practices in place. Brands that are transparent about their data collection, storage, and security practices tend to receive higher consumer trust. Additionally, brands that incorporate low-friction authentication methods like biometrics are seen as having a consumer’s back to ward off any scams or attack.
- Regional Differences: The adoption of biometric systems also varies by region. For example, facial recognition technology is widely used in China, but in other parts of the world, such as Europe and North America, it faces greater scrutiny. Therefore, businesses that plan to implement biometric technology need to consider their customer base and regional attitudes toward privacy and surveillance.
- User Experience is Critical: Systems that prioritize user experience, which is a benefit of biometrics, are more readily adopted by consumers.
Business Sentiment
The interest in biometric solutions is accelerating from a business perspective, especially as companies strive to provide enhanced security, reduce fraud, and streamline user experiences. However, some concerns remain:
- Cost and Integration: While biometric solutions have become more affordable, many businesses are still concerned about the cost and complexity of integrating these systems into their existing infrastructure. This can be a hurdle for smaller businesses or those with limited resources.
- Scalability: As companies scale their operations, they need to ensure that their biometric systems can handle an increasing volume of users while maintaining high levels of accuracy and security.
- Data Privacy and Security: Business must afeguard biometric data from cyberattacks. Any breach could result in severe reputational damage and financial loss. Companies are seeking biometric vendors who not only comply with regulatory requirements, but also invest in robust security measures to protect this highly sensitive data.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Biometrics?
If current trends continue, there will be continued growth in biometric technology adoption. As regulations evolve and technology advances, businesses will increasingly find ways to leverage biometrics for more secure, efficient, and user-friendly identity verification solutions. However, the road ahead will have challenges that businesses must address. Companies must be proactive in navigating the regulatory landscape, investing in security, and addressing consumer concerns about privacy.
These developments underscore the dynamic nature of the biometrics industry, highlighting the importance for businesses to remain agile, informed, and responsive to technological, regulatory, and consumer sentiment shifts.
The biometrics industry is poised for expansion, but businesses must stay informed, agile, and transparent in their approach to technology implementation. By prioritizing consumer trust, regulatory compliance, and robust security practices, vendors can help pave the way for a future where biometric identity verification is commonplace and reliable.
If your business is looking for a new or replacement biometric verification platform, we can help you choose. Contact us today for more information.