You may have heard the Privacy Commissioner has released the Biometric Privacy Code 2025 – which is now officially law under the Privacy Act.
This new piece of legislation is all about making sure organisations using biometric tech are doing so in a safe, secure and balanced way – something APLYiD has already got covered.
The good news is, if you’re using APLYiD, we will continue to remove a lot of the compliance burden from you. While the Code does place new obligations on agencies using biometric tech, such as managing your own notifications and privacy policies, and deciding if an alternative to biometrics should be offered, we’ll support you in meeting these.
What’s more, we only collect the necessary biometric data points which are required by law. The data’s strictly used for AML/CFT reasons, not for commercial or personal gain.
Clear customer consent and no surprises
APLYiD clearly asks for your customer’s consent before they go through the AML biometric checks. This means they can’t continue unless they tick the box to confirm they consent. We’re also transparent that we’re collecting biometric information through the AML process.
Why this law matters – ‘It is not just information about us, it is us.’
In the official press release, Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says “Biometrics are some of our most sensitive information. It is not just information about us, it is us. The very thing that makes biometrics risky, their uniqueness, also makes them useful. The aim of the new rules is to allow for beneficial uses of biometrics while minimising the risks for people’s privacy and society as a whole.”
What exactly is biometric processing?
Biometric processing uses technologies like facial recognition to collect and process unique information in order to verify identity, gather accurate data, and confirm legitimate access.
Due to the sensitive nature of biometrics, collecting and processing this information needs to be appropriate, secure and consensual.
APLYiD requires users to give consent before they continue through our biometric AML checks.
When will the new rules take effect?
This new law was announced and published on Wednesday August 6, and it will take effect on November 3, 2025. Existing agencies and organisations collecting biometric info must comply by August 3, 2026 (12 months after the announcement).
If you’re using APLYiD for your AML biometric checks, this law change will not disrupt your processes. We already limit data sharing to necessary organisations, and collect all necessary consents along the way, and we’ll continue doing so.
More available resources on the context of these changes.
If you’re short on time, here’s an overview.
If you’re up for a longer read, here’s a comprehensive A-Z of all things biometrics.
If you’re curious to read what private individuals and agencies care about when it comes to biometrics and privacy, take a look at this report. It summarises the key themes from submissions received on the draft Biometric Processing Privacy Code.
APLYiD and biometrics – ramping up the benefits and dialling down the dangers
APLYiD only collects and processes biometric information to prevent fraud and other illegal activities – and to keep your business and reputation safe.
This means we never use biometric data for profiling, to categorise, or for any reason other than your AML/CFT checks.
We know this information is sensitive and processing it can be risky – that’s why we take privacy and security seriously, and why we’ve developed our AML biometric checks to a world class standard.
Our AML checks maximise the benefits of biometrics – ease, efficiency and assurance – while mitigating the risks including privacy breaches, a lack of transparency of what happens to the data, and bias.
Finally, APLYiD does not store any biometric data – it's automatically deleted after seven days.
Starting 1 June 2025, all NZ reporting entities must assess, record and monitor the risk level of new clients.
Read more
If you are a Lawyer, Real Estate Agent, or an Accountant in Australia, you may be wondering what exactly this ‘Tranche 2’ stuff will mean for you in practical terms.
Read more
Press Release: APLYiD Partners with HES Fintech to Enhance Digital Identity Verification Solutions
Read more
It's not hard to scam an agency, and HMRC is on the hunt for AML negligence with £5k fines. Yikes. But there is an easy way to fix this...
Read more
As Valentine's Day approaches, love is undoubtedly in the air, but unfortunately, so is the risk of identity theft within the online dating sphere.
Read more
As we kick off the new year, APLYiD, a leading identity verification company, is navigating through changes in the regulatory landscape.
Read more
In today's fast-changing world of digital security, biometric verification has become a crucial way to authenticate identities.
Read more
What is Enhanced Due Diligence and why is it so important?
Read more
At APLYiD our mission is to end identity fraud and digital crime – that’s why we’ve made the best biometric identity verification software on the planet. But as our technology gets more sophisticated...
Read more
At APLYiD our mission is to end identity fraud and digital crime – that’s why we’ve made the best biometric identity verification software on the planet. But as our technology gets more sophisticated...
Read more
The cost of living crisis, competitive landscape and ongoing war in Ukraine are causing major headaches for the legal industry
Read more
The new 2023 plate change will come in a volatile, ultra-competitive market. Here’s how to win over those harder-to-reach customers
Read more
There are some tiny, fragile signs that the UK Property market is recovering
Read more
The accounting industry is in crisis – but with one simple software tweak it could become a fun, rewarding job once more
Read more
As interest rates continue to rise, so too do abandonment rates. By creating a better customer experience, you can cut those rates while protecting your business from fraud
Read more
The entire accounting industry is changing. For some that means new opportunities for growth and diversification; but for others the change can be traumatic.
Read more
Watch and learn with our pick of the 14 best YouTube channels to follow if you’re serious about cyber security
Read more
Passwords are hacked with ease, and MFAs are not the answer. Isn’t it time the biggest companies protect their clients and workforce with an identity-based perimeter?
Read more
New to KYC? Here’s your at-a-glance guide to the ins and outs of Knowing Your Customer.
Read more
The FCA reports that the UK’s top challenger banks still don’t do enough to eliminate identity theft and cyber fraud – but there’s nothing but silence from the companies that are supposed to be protecting them.
Read more
The next year is going to be a tough one, with fewer car registrations than ever. Follow our tips to make the most of every customer and drive ahead of the competition.
Read more
Some predict a bumper year for consumer finance; other suggest the industry will suffer. Either way recessions can wreak havoc – but here are some ways you can navigate the choppy waters ahead.
Read more
Wherever you look the experts are predicting an annus horribilis for Estate Agents next year. But we’ve unearthed some ways you can beat the property market slump and thrive next year
Read more
Conventional wisdom predicts that legal firms do well in a recession. But that’s not always the case – unless you follow our top five tips for 2023
Read more
Well, 2022 was a bit of a hellscape, wasn’t it? Recessions, political merry-go-rounds, Royal dramas, problematic world cups, and the ever-present ghost at the feast that is Brexit have all left their mark on the
Read moreThere are many reasons why elite sports stars can end up poor and homeless. Drug habits, concussions, bad investments, you name it. But Cindy Brown is different.
Read more
The safest, fastest and most trustworthy onboarding process to verify your customer’s identity.
Read more
The best customer onboarding experience… and the best defence against digital fraud.
Read more
Digital-first banks attract customers with no-fee accounts and simple, seamless setups. But their appeal to fraudsters means the more seamless they get, the more dangerous they become.
Read moreThe myth persists that identity theft is a relatively harmless, victimless crime aimed mostly at the elderly and vulnerable… but the data doesn’t agree.
Read more
Our complex world and its resultant threats to businesses mean General Counsel and legal firms are getting less sleep than ever. But there’s more to it than just risk: finding the right balance can give in-house
Read more
So much of the world is under threat from scammers, bad actors – and governments that give them shelter. But we can defeat the bad guys if the good guys band together.
Read more
KYC is an important part of protecting yourself – and your customers – from fraud, regulatory breaches and bad actors. Luckily APLYiD makes KYC compliance quick, seamless and effective.
Read more
Imagine returning from a well-earned holiday and putting your key in your front door only to find the locks have been changed…. then a stranger opens the door and asks who you are.
Read more
