Welcome to ID Tech’s digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:

House Democrats Move to Limit DHS Mobile Biometric Apps With New Privacy Bill

House Democrats have introduced legislation that would restrict how the Department of Homeland Security can deploy mobile biometric applications, citing concerns about surveillance expansion and data governance. The bill targets smartphone-based biometric collection tools used by DHS personnel, placing limits on collection scope, retention, and secondary use. Lawmakers frame the proposal as a response to growing reliance on mobile biometrics across immigration, border, and law enforcement workflows without clear statutory guardrails.

Indonesia Seeks Facial Liveness Detection in International Tender for Digital ID Upgrade

Indonesia has issued an international tender seeking facial liveness detection technology as part of a planned upgrade to its national digital identity system. The procurement signals a shift toward stronger anti-spoofing controls as the country expands remote and digital ID use cases. Liveness detection is positioned as a requirement to support enrollment integrity, authentication, and fraud resistance at population scale.

House Panel Backs $271.742 Million for DHS Biometric Identity Management Office

A U.S. House panel has approved $271.742 million in funding for DHS’s Biometric Identity Management Office, reinforcing congressional support for large-scale biometric infrastructure. The funding covers identity matching, system modernization, and operational support across DHS components. The move reflects continued reliance on centralized biometric identity services for border security, immigration enforcement, and vetting operations.

Papua New Guinea DPI Wallet Launches on Google Play

Papua New Guinea has launched its national Digital Public Infrastructure wallet on Google Play, marking a shift from policy development to consumer-facing deployment. The wallet is designed to support digital identity and government service access, forming part of the country’s broader DPI strategy. The launch represents an early operational step toward mobile-based public credentials in the Pacific region.

TSA Official Says Agency Helps ICE Check Passenger Data During House Hearing

A senior TSA official confirmed during a House hearing that the agency assists Immigration and Customs Enforcement with passenger data checks under certain conditions. The testimony highlighted inter-agency data sharing practices tied to aviation security and immigration enforcement. The remarks have drawn attention to how identity, travel, and biometric data move between U.S. agencies.

UK Digital Veteran Card Uptake Remains Under 1 Percent as GOV.UK Wallet Work Continues

Uptake of the UK’s digital veteran card remains below 1 percent, according to recent reporting, even as work on the GOV.UK Wallet continues. The low adoption rate highlights challenges around awareness, perceived value, and integration with services. The program offers an early case study in the gap between digital credential availability and real-world usage.

Inetum to Install EES Border Equipment at Algeciras and Tarifa Ports

Inetum has been selected to install new EU Entry/Exit System border equipment at the Spanish ports of Algeciras and Tarifa. The deployment supports readiness for the EU’s biometric border control framework, which will capture facial images and fingerprints from non-EU travelers. Port installations are a key component of extending EES beyond airports to maritime entry points.

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By the ID Tech Editorial Team

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ID Tech Digest – January 23, 2026

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