State of Biometrics Report 2026
Each year, this report assesses future trends and developments to help the biometrics community prepare for emerging opportunities and challenges. It highlights the importance of responsible use and putting people first to build public trust in AI-driven biometrics, while exploring significant themes identified by the Institute’s Future Direction Group.
When the Biometrics Institute was founded in 2001, identity was still largely managed through passwords, PINs and a handful of early biometric trials. Twenty-five years on, biometric collection is everywhere – passive, continuous and largely invisible. While it delivers the security and service efficiencies we need, risks remain. The next 25 years will be defined by how responsibly we manage it.
This year’s State of Biometrics Report sets out the key themes, risks, and actions required to get that balance right. From the way collection practices have matured across different use cases to the societal choices around how technology is deployed, how the human role is evolving alongside agentic AI, and why biometrics acts as the critical trust multiplier for digital identity.
The 2026 report covers the following:
- Maturity of collection practices
- Big brotherhoods or cohesive communities?
- Human in the loop v2.0
- Biometrics as the trust multiplier
Members can download the State of Biometrics Report 2026 here.
Non-members: In addition to accessing the State of Biometrics Report, there are many reasons to become a member of the Biometrics Institute. Find out more about membership and joining our community.
Looking for past insights?
If you are interested in learning more about our previous State of Biometrics Reports, you can find details for each of our previous reports below.
The State of Biometrics Report 2025 is publicly available for everyone to read.
Access to the full report archive, for prior years (2024 and earlier) is an exclusive benefit of Biometrics Institute membership.
State of Biometrics Report 2024 link.
State of Biometrics Report 2023 link.
State of Biometrics Report 2022 link.
State of Biometrics Report 2021 link.
State of Biometrics Report 2020 link
State of Biometrics Report 2019 link
