Passwords and physical documents are increasingly being supplemented — or replaced — by the human body itself.
Biometric systems use characteristics such as fingerprints, faces, voices or iris patterns to verify identity. They are now common in smartphones, banking apps and border control systems.
The appeal is convenience. Users can unlock devices or confirm transactions quickly without remembering complex passwords.
Businesses and governments also value biometrics as a way to reduce fraud and streamline access.
However, biometric identity raises sensitive questions. Unlike a password, a face or fingerprint cannot easily be changed if compromised.
There are also concerns about surveillance, consent and accuracy, particularly where systems perform unevenly across different populations.
Regulators in several countries are debating how these tools should be governed and where limits should be placed.
Experts say biometric systems are likely to keep expanding, but public trust will depend on strong safeguards and clear accountability.
The future of identity may be faster and more seamless — but also more contested.
