The Biometric Update Podcast

The Biometric Update Podcast bridges the gap between industry insiders and a general interest audience with clear, compelling stories about the biometrics and digital identity industry.

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 24: Billions Network's Evin McMullen on blockchain-based age proofs

Proof of age with digital ID has been one of the most hotly debated topics of 2025. Evin McMullen, CEO of Billions Network, has some thoughts about how certain big name companies are deploying methods that put privacy at risk. On the latest episode of the BU Podcast, Evin McMullen makes the case for Billions Network, ZKPs and minimal disclosure of data. 

11-21
24:20

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 23: Wes Kaplan introduces the G-Knot finger vein crypto wallet

The G-Knot Crypto Wallet uses finger vein biometrics for authentication, with a look like a robot hockey puck and sub-dermal near-infrared cameras. It's a nifty little device with big ambitions. On this episode of the Biometric Update podcast, I talk with Wes Kaplan, CEO of G-Knot, about the science behind the wallet, the company's plans to move into the digital identity space, and more.    Runtime: 00:23:55 

11-14
23:55

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 22: Passkeys ascendant with FIDO's Andrew Shikiar

According to the Passkey Index, a benchmark from the FIDO Alliance, 93 percent of user accounts across member firms are now eligible for passkey sign-ins. Of those, 36 percent have enrolled a passkey. The trend is clear: passkeys have entered the mainstream, with companies like Amazon, Google, PayPal, TikTok and even Home Depot and Target putting their faith in passkeys. Is the Great Passwar between passwords and passkeys finally won? And what does winning actually look like? In the latest episode of the Biometric Update Podcast, Andrew Shikiar, CEO of the FIDO Alliance, reflects on how far passkeys have come, and where digital ID is going.    Runtime: 00:26:53

11-07
26:55

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 21: The Passkey Power 20 with Dashlane's Rew Islam

Passkeys keep coming. Rew Islam, head of product engineering and innovation at Dashlane, joins the BU Podcast to discuss the new Dashlane Passkey Power 20, a ranking of companies driving passkey adoption globally.    Runtime: 00:32:58

10-31
32:57

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 20: Verifymy's Andy Lulham on who's getting it right (and wrong) on age checks

Andy Lulham, chief operating officer of UK age assurance provider Verifymy, has been watching closely as age assurance legislation around the globe has evolved. In the latest episode of the BU Podcast, hear his thoughts on VPNs, global standards, and how to stand out in an expanding market.  Runtime: 00:21:47

10-24
21:47

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 19: Checking in on age checks with Luciditi's Dan Johnson

Age assurance is still causing a fuss around the globe, as online safety legislation takes effect and the age check sector comes into the public eye. Luciditi is one of the larger providers of age assurance in the UK. On this episode of the Biometric Update Podcast, Dan Johnson, Chief Product Officer of Luciditi, considers whether age verification might be the "catalytic use case" for digital ID.   

10-20
41:17

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 18: Cornering student verification with Reclaim Protocol's Maddy Malolan

Reclaim Protocol specializes in verifying users' education, employment, and brand loyalty. It calls its system, which combines online behavior with zero-knowledge cryptography, proof of provenance. In this episode, CEO Madhavan Malolan discusses the company's strategy and plans for its future.    Run time: 00:24:52

10-10
24:53

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 17: Sleight of hand with Janis Stirna, CEO of startup Handwave

The argument for digital credentials says that you can't lose them the same way you might lose a physical ID card. But you can still lose your mobile device. What you can't lose is your hand. In this episode, Handwave CEO Janis Stirna explores the possibilities in palm biometrics.     

10-03
24:10

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 16: Wink CEO Deepak Jain on Identity and Payments

Biometrics, payments and identity are triangulating. Texas-based biometrics firm Wink is banking on it. The company recently merged with the global payment technology and services provider Phoenix Managed Networks, increasing its reach in the U.S. payments space.  On the latest episode of the Biometric Update Podcast, Wink CEO Deepak Jain talks about why Wink made the move, and how it positions it in the global market.   Runtime: 00:24:00

09-26
23:58

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 15: Police use of FRT with Professor Fraser Sampson

From London to Brazil to New York, police forces are adopting facial recognition technology. They say it helps fight crime. Critics say it violates privacy and risks police overreach. The truth may be somewhere in the middle. On this episode of the BU Podcast, former UK Biometrics & Surveillance Commissioner, Professor Fraser Sampson, shares his thoughts on how law enforcement is using facial recognition, and what it means in a world already flooded with CCTV and cameras in every pocket.     Runtime: 00:39:35

09-19
39:35

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 14: Yoti's Robin Tombs reflects on one month of UK age assurance

Around the July 25 enforcement deadline for the UK's Online Safety Act and its age assurance requirements for adult content platforms, Yoti's digital identity wallet app took off on the App Store charts. CEO Robin Tombs sits down with the Biometric Update Podcast to reflect on the biggest month age verification has ever had. 

09-12
27:56

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 13: Vouched gets $17M to address agentic AI

Vouched CEO Peter Horodan and Misha Polovneff of BHG Financial join the BU Podcast to discuss a recent Series A funding round that will see Vouched get 17 million dollars to tackle the growing issue of how to manage AI agents. With BU's managing editor Chris Burt, the duo discusses identity verification, synthetic identity fraud, and more.     Runtime: 37:05

09-05
37:05

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 12: The EUDI Wallet deadline, with Fime's Steve Pannifer

Steve Pannifer of Fime labs says the December 2026 timeline for EU member states to provide wallets and digital aII to citizens is "aggressive." Sharing insights on testing, interoperability, the payments model and the key question of adoption, Steve offers a clear picture of where the EU stands in its digital journey.    Runtime: 00:28:39

08-29
28:39

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 11: 1kosmos nets $57M in funding

IDV firm 1kosmos recently closed a $57 million Series B funding round led by Forgepoint Capital. Biometric Update Managing Editor Chris Burt sits down with 1kosmos CEO Hemen Vimadalal and Forgepoint's Ernie Bio to discuss the company's plans.    Runtime: 00:35:20

08-22
35:20

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 10: Socure's Rivka Little on Age Assurance

Socure has expanded its Risk OS platform to enable a host of options for age assurance. In this episode of the Biometric Update Podcast, the company's Chief Growth Officer Rivka Little offers insights on the rapidly changing age assurance landscape, including recent regulatory developments.  

08-15
17:40

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 9: Two CEOs of Entrust talk transition

Entrust has a new CEO in Tony Ball. But outgoing CEO Todd Wilkinson isn't done just yet. The two digital identity leaders join the Biometric Update Podcast to discuss the handing off of the baton, the changing nature of digital identity, and the opportunities to be found in digitizing citizen services. 

08-01
28:24

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 8: Alan Goode on the IDV market

Alan Goode of Goode Intelligence walks us through his latest research on the booming IDV market, including insights on reusable ID, mobile driver's licenses and the technology building blocks of identity verification.    https://www.goodeintelligence.com/  https://www.biometricupdate.com/202506/identity-verification-to-surpass-20b-by-2030-amid-transition-to-reusable-digital-id https://www.goodeintelligence.com/report/identity-verification-idv-market-technology-analysis-forecasts-2025-2030/    Runtime: 00:19:08

07-18
19:08

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 7: AVPA's Iain Corby on Age Assurance

It's the summer of age assurance. With major developments happening in the UK, EU, Australia and the U.S., age assurance is going mainstream. In this episode, we talk with Iain Corby, executive director of the Age Verification Providers Association, about what it all means for providers of age verification and age estimation services. 

07-11
29:27

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 6: No Phone Home

Biometric Upadate editor-in-chief Chris Burt speaks with three representatives from the No Phone Home campaign, which is warning against the potential privacy risks in digital identity systems that use "phone home" or server retrieval methods.  

06-30
37:27

Biometric Update Podcast Ep. 5: Humanity Protocol CEO Terence Kwok

An interview with Humanity Protocol CEO Terence Kwok, who talks about the firm's recent acquisition of blockchain-based ticketing and access company, Moongate, and how to bring digital ID into more physical spaces.  

06-20
29:02

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