Brazil tests palm biometric identification at Friendship Bridge

The Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal) has launched a pilot project to test palm biometric identification for pedestrians crossing the Friendship Bridge between Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, and Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.

Developed by Serpro, the technology uses palm recognition to record the exact date and time of crossings and identify repeat travelers. This initiative is part of a broader modernization plan for the border region scheduled between 2026 and 2028, aimed at applying airport-style automated processes to land borders—a concept described as “airport without an airplane.”

During this initial testing phase, participation is voluntary. The system currently operates in isolation and is not yet linked to the Brazilian individual taxpayer registry (CPF). The pilot aims to evaluate the efficiency of the tool in a high-traffic area and will continue through October, with official operations expected to begin in November.