UNHCR looks to face biometrics as QR code standard advances Face biometrics are likely to play a growing role in the operations of the UNHCR, attendees of a workshop jointly held with the EAB heard Monday. The workshop, held alongside SC37 Working Group meetings in Copenhagen, Denmark, was sponsored by FaceTec, Biometric Solutions and Innovatrics. Evolving ISO standards help guide UNHCR’s decisions about biometrics, from the language used in procurements to the potential the draft ISO/IEC 59794-5 standard for facial images in QR codes. UNHCR moving into face biometrics UNHCR’s currently operational use of biometrics includes the IrisGuard system first deployed in the Middle East and the biometric information management system (BIMS). One or both of these systems are used in over 95 countries, according to Head of Biometrics and Interoperability Sam Jefferies. In addition to IrisGuard technology, UNHCR uses biometric devices from Integrated Biometrics, IriTech and Thales. UNHCR continually caches fingerprint biometrics for 30 seconds during the autocapture process, with data quality algorithms set at a threshold that starts high and drops over time to the lowest level the organization can accept. Dramatic cuts in funding to the UN refugee agency in 2025 mean that there are less staff registering people, while some tools are unfunded, including “Gateways,” Jefferies says. The organization must look to more online interactions to lower its costs. UNHCR’s biometric products roadmap reflects this need, including with a planned “Digital Gateway with face service.” The organization also plans to use face biometrics for periodic remote family verifications. The plan going forward also involves the inclusion of face biometrics on printed credentials and linked to verifiable credentials (VCs). Face may also be used for deduplication of humanitarian registries, and UNHCR wants to use biometrics to enable inclusion in national digital identity programs and digital public infrastructure,