5 Industries Fastly Moving Toward Biometric Authentication

Biometric authentication is no longer a futuristic concept. In just a few years, it has become part of everyday life: unlocking smartphones with a face scan, confirming payments with a fingerprint, or accessing online services without typing a password. This rapid adoption is driven by two parallel trends: the explosion of digital journeys (remote onboarding, online service access, electronic signatures, remote transactions) and the growing limitations of traditional authentication methods.

Reused passwords, intercepted SMS codes, and forged identity documents have made it clear that legacy mechanisms can no longer keep pace with modern digital fraud. In this context, biometrics is emerging as a new authentication standard, capable of combining stronger security with ease of use, provided it operates within a robust regulatory framework.

Why Biometric Authentication Is Becoming Essential Today

Fraudsters have scaled up their operations. Attacks are no longer improvised; they are industrialized. Synthetic identities, falsified documents, deepfakes, and video injection attacks can now bypass systems that appeared secure just a few years ago.

When combined with liveness detection mechanisms such as Presentation Attack Detection (PAD) and Injection Attack Detection (IAD), biometrics makes it possible to verify that a real, live person is present behind the screen, in real time. This level of assurance is something traditional methods can no longer guarantee on their own.

Balancing Security and User Experience

The strength of biometric authentication lies not only in its robustness but also in the seamless experience it offers.

Where traditional authentication requires multiple steps, usernames, passwords, SMS codes, a well-designed biometric process often requires just a single action: looking at a camera or placing a finger on a sensor.

This balance is critical:

• For users, it means less friction, fewer credentials to remember, and smoother interactions.
• For organizations, it means enhanced security without compromising conversion rates or customer satisfaction.

This combination of simplicity and protection explains why more and more digital services are integrating biometrics into their user journeys, particularly as they move toward fully digital experiences.

A Regulatory Landscape That Is Becoming More Demanding

European regulations, especially eIDAS 2.0 and its implementing acts, are significantly strengthening requirements for remote identity verification. High assurance levels now require robust mechanisms, often based on biometric solutions certified under ISO and CEN standards.

Biometrics is therefore no longer just a technology choice, it is becoming a regulatory compliance enabler.

The 5 Industries Accelerating Toward Biometric Authentication

Biometric authentication is not limited to a single domain. It is being adopted across several key industries, each facing its own specific challenges.

H3- Social Media: Age and Profile Verification

Regulatory pressure is increasing to prevent minors from accessing certain types of online content. Simple age declarations or checkbox confirmations are no longer considered sufficient.

Platforms must now be able to verify users’ real age while respecting their privacy. Facial biometrics can estimate age without collecting identity documents, offering an effective balance between compliance, data protection, and a frictionless experience.

Financial Services: KYC, Fraud Prevention, and Compliance

Banks, fintech companies, and insurers are on the front line of identity fraud. Remote account opening, online lending, and high-value transactions are prime targets for fraudsters.

In this sector, biometrics is used to:

• Strengthen KYC (Know Your Customer) processes by linking biometric proof to document verification.
• Secure sensitive operations such as large transfers or account detail changes through strong authentication.
• Reduce fraud-related losses and regulatory risks while preserving a smooth customer experience.

Here, the use of certified, regulator-aligned solutions is becoming a key differentiator.

HR Platforms and Remote Recruitment

With the rise of remote work and video interviews, a new form of fraud has emerged: hiring fraud.

Fake candidates now use deepfakes or video injection attacks to present themselves under false identities. HR platforms and recruitment services are increasingly integrating biometric checks to ensure that the person attending the interview is truly who they claim to be.

Public Services: Digital Identity and Access to Rights

Government services are rapidly going digital: tax filings, social benefits, civil status documents, healthcare procedures. The challenge is twofold: simplifying access while preventing misuse. Biometrics plays a role in:

• Secure digital identity systems that allow citizens to authenticate reliably.
• Preventing fraud in social benefits and public services by ensuring the person making the request is the legitimate rights holder.

In this context, biometric use must be accompanied by strong safeguards: transparency, proportionality, and oversight by data protection authorities.

Travel and Transportation: Securing and Streamlining Passenger Journeys

In the travel sector, aviation, rail, and border control, biometrics is already widely deployed.

• Seamless airport journeys where facial recognition replaces repeated manual checks.
• Biometric identity verification during check-in, boarding, and security screening.

The goal is to combine enhanced security (against identity fraud, terrorism, and forged documents) with a smoother passenger experience by reducing queues and repetitive checks.

Conclusion : 

Biometric authentication sits at the intersection of three powerful trends: increasingly sophisticated fraud, rising expectations for user simplicity, and a regulatory framework that is becoming more focused on digital identity.

Organizations that adopt biometrics in a responsible, transparent, and compliant manner will gain a powerful tool to strengthen trust across their digital journeys.

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