The controversial biometric ID program has been approved by authorities in India for voluntary use by people seeking to open bank or mobile phone accounts. The move stands as the latest example of biometrics helping to authenticate payments and commerce.

Evernym, which promotes use of blockchain for digital ID, has awarded the Red Cross and four other global humanitarian groups free access to an accelerator program. The effort, involving organizations with wide reach, could further promote the deployment of cutting-edge digital IDs among millions of people.

Facial recognition is increasingly being deployed to tighten security, improve authentication, and streamline payment and retail transactions. But an ordinance in San Francisco — the first of its kind — would ban its use by city government, potentially restricting police from using evidence gained from the biometric tool.

Louisiana has already approved them, and other states are considering them, and now digital driver’s licenses could soon see lawmaker debate in Florida. A bill is ready, and it goes beyond digital ID — it seeks to boost blockchain and could help lead to the creation of a real-time insurance database.

Governments and business face similar challenges when it comes to identity fraud and authentication. Now major banks are pushing forward with a new proposal to enlist state DMVs in the fight against ID thieves and other digitally-minded criminals.

Biometric authentication has pushed into the mainstream to become an increasingly important part of digital ID. But beyond fingerprints, facial recognition and the like there is “silent authentication,” an emerging trend that Gemalto breaks down in detail.

A program that involves blockchain and facial recognition could help reduce financial fraud as Thailand embraces more digital payments and modernizes its economy. A successful public launch of this program also could encourage more consumer trust of digital IDs and associated biometrics.