Global Scans · Human-Computer Interaction · Weekly Summary

• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] By 2025, advanced security trends such as biometric systems incorporating voice recognition and HALO sensors are expected to prevail, with Gartner and IBM forecasting 50% adoption among U.S. enterprises for video security and smart door locks. HotBot
• [New] Mastercard is accelerating its push to make online shopping across Asia-Pacific password-free and number-free by 2030, with a regional roadmap targeting full tokenization and biometric authentication in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam by 2027. philstar.com
• [New] The UK government announced mandatory digital ID cards by 2029, marking a global shift toward biometric and digital identity verification systems. VisaPics
• [New] Regulatory heat - Biometric data probes in Kenya, EU, and Asia threaten operations. CoinMarketCap
• [New] India's transition to continuous cheque clearing, biometric UPI authentication, and expanded digital payment use cases is not just about convenience - it's creating a $907 trillion payment ecosystem by 2030. Medium
• [New] The number of smartphones with biometric capabilities enabled is projected to be over 245 million in the US alone in 2025. AstuteAnalytica India Pvt. Ltd.
• Once viewed with fear and skepticism, airport biometric screenings are now preferred and even expected by global travelers. CNBC
• Cameras are able to recognize smoke alarm signals and respond with lights, and in 2026, an AI-powered facial recognition feature will reduce false alerts. MacRumors
• AI-powered surveillance, employed by both states and private actors, is one of the most pressing threats to human rights in 2025, with facial recognition technologies and biometric tracking enabling pervasive monitoring often in the absence of adequate legal oversight. Medium
• Biometric authentication is expected to make UPI transactions faster and more inclusive. Sakshi Post
• Indian travelers with a Schengen visa will undergo biometric checks, including fingerprints and a facial scan, during their first entry. Outlook Traveller
• In 2025, researchers have uncovered vulnerabilities in VR hardware that allow attackers to access real-time biometric data, track user movements, and even manipulate sensory input. Artificial Intelligence and Technology Articles
• North American fintechs are adopting zero-trust security architectures, biometric authentication, and AI-based anomaly detection to combat rising threats. Cognitive Market Research
• Visa committed to a biometric-first global payments strategy by 2026, with Affirm as a key rollout partner for its Flexible Credential platform. Yahoo Finance
• DHS will collect a photograph (facial image), fingerprint, palm print, audible recording, DNA, etc., for use in facial recognition, fingerprint and palm print recognition, ocular image recognition, voice recognition, DNA testing, etc. Federal Register
• Combining the USCIS and CBP frameworks could effectively produce a unified biometric tracking system encompassing all non-citizens in the United States. BiometricUpdate.com
• Expanding biometric use will help combat trafficking, verify criminal history, deter fraud, and enhance identity management throughout the immigration lifecycle. Erickson Immigration Group
• As departments deploy increasingly sophisticated surveillance technology capable of monitoring biometric data from hundreds of meters away, a landmark California lawsuit could reshape the legal boundaries of warrantless aerial surveillance. DroneXL.co
• With biometric data collection added to the usual passport checks, travelers can expect delays, particularly in busy airports like Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid Barajas, and Amsterdam Schiphol. Travel And Tour World
• Given the new biometric checks, airports like London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester will need to invest in additional infrastructure, such as dedicated biometric booths and enhanced digital systems. Travel And Tour World

Last updated: 07 December 2025