15 October 2025
New State of Biometrics Report navigates the biometrics deepfake challenge, privacy and real-time biometric identification, the question of proportionality the need for standards in digital identity and emerging technologies
The Biometrics Institute has today published its highly anticipated annual State of Biometrics Report 2025, which explores how the biometrics community is addressing the complexities surrounding the core principle of identity: Proving you are real when you transact in the digital world. The report, guided by the Institute’s Future Direction Group, focuses on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and biometrics not just as a technology to manage, but as a critical tool in establishing proof of personhood (PoP) to secure an increasingly digital world.
While the rise of deepfakes and sophisticated AI agents is a reality, the report highlights the determined focus on countermeasures to reap the benefits biometrics provide to personal safety and protective security. As echoed in the Institute’s recent Annual Industry Survey, an overwhelming 85% of respondents agreed that deepfakes will continue to pose a significant threat to biometric recognition systems. However, the report’s key message is one of optimism – that targeted investment in presentation and injection attack detection and behavioural biometrics will be essential to keeping systems safe from evolving threats.
“This year’s report focuses on navigating the rapid advances in technology and the importance of trust frameworks and standards. We’ve seen the enormous benefits biometrics deliver to public safety, authentication and forensic science, but as deepfakes evolve, we must make the benefits outweigh the risks. The five themes of the report are the areas that we need to monitor and discuss in our community of professionals to ensure that biometrics are used responsibly, ethically and effectively to put people first.” Isabelle Moeller, CEO, Biometrics Institute
Five essential themes for the responsible and trustworthy future of identity
The State of Biometrics Report 2025 identifies five themes that the global community must play close attention to in the future, to ensure the responsible and effective use of biometric technology.
The first theme, keeping it real, explores the paradox of AI and biometrics – while it has significantly improved accuracy, it has also introduced new ways to attack systems. The report details the critical need for investment in technologies that can determine what is real and what is fake, particularly as AI agents and bots continue to grow their volume of online transactions.
Addressing privacy and real-time biometric identification, the report emphasises that with the proliferation of wearables and biometrics-in-motion, ethical responsibility must be embedded in everything that uses biometrics. It calls for privacy to be a genuine guarantee, not just a promise, by promoting safeguards, minimal data exposure, and providing individuals with meaningful control over their personal information. Human-review and decision-making are essential. The Institute’s updated Privacy Guidelines are a sought-after resource in addressing these concerns.
The third theme examines who decides what is proportionate and who is on a watchlist. It acknowledges the social and economic benefits delivered by biometric systems while calling for regulatory frameworks for their deployment. It highlights the debate around balancing security threats – from retail theft to national security – with privacy and urges transparent governance and privacy impact assessments to support public trust.
Digital identity interoperability is also addressed as the Institute asks if we are there yet? Observing that consumers are frustrated by a lack of consistent standards in some areas, trust frameworks and interoperability. The report highlights the continued importance of biometrics as the anchor for digital identity – with many wallets, mobile drivers’ licenses and verifiable credentials depending on them – and stresses the necessity for biometric and AI experts to engage early in standards development to reflect operational realities.
The report closes with a focus on (e)merging modalities, noting that biometrics are rapidly evolving beyond facial and fingerprint recognition. It explores the latest advancements in DNA science, voice-based technologies, along with multimodal combinations, discussing how these technologies are driving major advances in public safety and forensics. It concludes that public perception is shaped by both risk and purpose, and clear communication and success stories are essential to building acceptance for responsible deployment.
The Biometrics Institute is committed to providing the guidance necessary to navigate this complex landscape. The Institute’s Good Practice Framework is a comprehensive guide to planning, procuring, and implementing biometric systems correctly. Practical help is also offered through the Three Laws of Biometrics. This specifies the correct order of priorities – Policy first, then Process, then Technology – for development and implementation to ensure trust and accountability.
The full State of Biometrics Report 2025 is now available to explore the detailed findings and recommendations.
ENDS.
About the Biometrics Institute:
The Biometrics Institute is the independent and impartial international membership organisation for biometric users and other interested parties. It was established in 2001 to promote the responsible, ethical and effective use of biometrics. It has offices in London and Sydney.
The Institute represents a global and diverse multi-stakeholder community of over 200 membership organisations from 43 countries. While a large proportion of the members are from government, other members include banks, airlines, biometric experts, privacy experts, suppliers, academics and 18 Observers representing United Nations agencies, IGOs and European Union institution.
The Biometrics Institute connects the global biometrics community. It shares knowledge with its members and key stakeholders and most importantly, develops good practices and thought leadership for the responsible, ethical and effective use of biometrics.
For more information, please email Marco Lombardi.
