Global Scans · Biometrics · Weekly Summary

• [New] The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a final ruling which will make participation in its facial biometric program mandatory for non-US citizens. Passenger Terminal Today
• [New] Atlanta Hartsfield and Seattle-Tacoma will complete full biometric gates by mid-November, and several cruise ports in Florida are piloting handheld devices for facial exit. VisaHQ
• [New] The Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, a body focused on improving U.S. travel processes, recommended completing biometric air exit by 2026. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Due to Illinois' Biometric Privacy Act's broad extraterritorial reach and private right of action, BIPA is expected to remain a hotbed for consumer protection litigation. Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC
• The UK government has kicked off plans to ramp up police use of facial recognition, undeterred by a mounting civil liberties backlash and fresh warnings that any expansion risks turning public spaces into biometric dragnets. The Register
• Regulatory Crackdowns - Global scrutiny over biometric data could stall growth. CoinMarketCap
• By 2025, advancements in 3D mapping, computer vision, and semantic understanding will allow devices to not just see surfaces but comprehend them. INAIRSPACE
• The United States will soon require photographs of every traveler entering and leaving the country who is not a U.S. citizen, under a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule expanding biometric data collection at airports, land borders, and seaports. Boundless Immigration
• The Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel recommended completing biometric air exit by 2026 to strengthen identity verification and create a more secure and efficient travel system. U.S. Travel Association
• Visa Waiver Program flexibility: With full biometric exit in place for international air departures, visa overstay rates-rather than visa refusal rates-will become the key metric for VWP eligibility, unlocking the potential for new visa-free partner countries. U.S. Travel Association
• Over 2 billion biometric payment transactions are projected to occur globally in 2025. CoinLaw

Last updated: 21 December 2025