The future of biometrics and identity authentication: Top 10 trends shaping 2025

As businesses and consumers continue to recognise the value and embrace the expediency offered by biometric technologies, adoption will continue to soar across sectors in 2025.  

This surge in adoption, however, also necessitates important discussions about the ethical implications, privacy concerns, and responsible development of these solutions to ensure a future where biometrics serve humanity ethically and equitably. 

The following 10 biometric trends are set to shape the identity authentication and verification landscape throughout 2025.

1. Contactless biometrics

The emphasis on hygiene and convenience continues to propel the adoption of contactless biometric systems. Technologies like facial recognition and palm/fingerprint scanning enable users to authenticate without physical contact, enhancing both user experience and public health safety.

2. Multi-modal biometrics

Integrating multiple biometric modalities—such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and voice recognition—into single authentication systems is becoming more prevalent. This approach enhances security and user experience by providing multiple layers of fast, frictionless authentication.

3. Image quality assessment

High-quality image capture is crucial for accurate biometric results. Biometric scanners are now incorporating sophisticated image quality assessment technologies to automatically adjust to various conditions, ensuring optimal performance in diverse environments such as air travel, banking and border control.

4. AI and machine learning in biometrics

The infusion of AI and machine learning into biometric solutions allows for continuous refinement and improvement. This is essential to defend against evolving threats such as deepfakes, and to enhance system accuracy.

5. Advanced presentation attack detection (PAD)

PAD employs sophisticated AI algorithms to analyse subtle cues like micro-expressions, effectively distinguishing between live subjects and spoofs. By detecting and blocking spoof attempts at the point of capture, PAD ensures the integrity and security of the biometric authentication process.

6. Biometrics at the edge

Processing biometric data on devices—known as edge computing—reduces latency and enhances privacy by minimising data transmission to centralised servers. This approach allows for more efficient real-time authentication and high throughput, particularly beneficial for applications like facial recognition.

7. Self-service enablement

The self-service experience is expanding across sectors as individuals prefer minimal friction and limited human engagement. Integrating facial recognition into self-service systems, such as kiosks, ATMs, and eGates, facilitates easy and secure authentication, hence driving efficiencies for businesses and convenience for customers.

8. Ethical considerations

As biometrics become more integrated into daily life, ethical considerations gain prominence. Leading providers are committing to data diversity to mitigate bias in matching algorithms and promote inclusivity, fostering greater public trust in the ethical use of biometric technologies.

9. Privacy and data security

Data privacy remains a core concern. Regulations like GDPR, BIPA, and CCPA continue to shape how biometric data is collected, stored, and used. In 2025, there will be increased emphasis on providing individuals with more control over their personal information and greater transparency from organisations handling sensitive data.

10. Unlocking value across industries

Businesses across various sectors are adopting biometric technologies to enhance operational efficiency and meet consumer demand for greater autonomy.

Use cases include:

• Travel — Passenger Verification at Checkpoints. Biometrics play a crucial role in supporting a seamless passage — facilitating fast, secure and accurate identity verification at each checkpoint throughout airports, seaports and other transportation corridors
• Government — Border Control and Immigration. As global travel volumes continue to surge, biometrics play an integral role in expediting these crossings while boosting security. Immigration agencies can significantly improve border security and passenger processing while enhancing traveller satisfaction by minimising wait times and streamlining the overall experience.
• Banking — Biometrics for KYC. By incorporating biometric solutions such as facial recognition and fingerprint technology, banks can improve customer onboarding, advance identity verification and strengthen the bank’s security posture against sophisticated fraud attempts
• Retail — Age Verification. As age estimation algorithms continue to advance, biometrics will be a driving force behind ID checks in public settings — including within age-restricted establishments like casinos and nightclubs and at retail stores selling age-restricted products
• Healthcare — Patient Check-in. Biometric innovations enrich the healthcare experience. Patient self-check-in using facial recognition technology is swift, simple and reliable — greatly improving the patient experience while driving operational efficiencies.
• Entertainment — Ticketless Entry. Facial recognition technology streamlines entry processes at theme parks, stadiums and other entertainment venues by eliminating the need for physical tickets, reducing wait times, and improving the overall guest experience. Security is also enhanced by quickly identifying and potentially barring individuals who may pose a threat.

In summary, 2025 marks a pivotal year for biometric technologies, with advancements enhancing security, user experience and ethical standards across industries. As these trends continue to evolve, organisations must balance innovation with responsibility to ensure biometrics serve humanity ethically and equitably.