A Break from the Orbs – Identity News Digest

Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:

Worldcoin Shuts Down Orbs in Select Countries

Worldcoin has suspended its biometric enrolment efforts in Brazil, France, and India. In a statement to TechCrunch, the foundation overseeing Worldcoin, Tools for Humanity, suggested that the services were suspended due to regulatory issues, explaining that the organization is “working with partners globally to ensure it meets regulatory requirements and provides a safe, secure and transparent service for verified humans.” Worldcoin’s iris-scanning Orb devices have attracted considerable attention, including from regulatory agencies concerned about a private organization’s collection of citizens’ biometric data.

VA to Trial Face-based Login for Workers

The US Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to trial a face-based biometric login system for its frontline medical staff in 2024. Currently, VA staffers are required to insert Personal Identity Verification cards into their workstations in order to log in. VA Chief Information Security Officer Lynette Sherrill says that she wants to establish a more frictionless experience. Meanwhile, the VA’s Deputy Chief Information Officer for its Product Engineering Service unit, Carrie Lee, is leading the VA’s identity, credential, and access management modernization effort; at a recent event, she told Federal News Network that her department is looking for a multi-factor Single Sign On solution for both internal and external users.

Biometric Attendance System Flags Time Fraud Among Northern Mariana Islands Cops

The CNMI Department of Public Safety in the Northern Mariana Islands, a United States commonwealth, has fired 12 police officers over alleged illegal overtime claims. At a press conference, CNMI DPS Commissioner Clement Bermudes explained that the accused police were not properly using a biometric attendance tracking system. He implemented a policy requiring police to send him a formal explanation of each failure to clock in using the biometric system, which ultimately led to suspicions of time fraud.

New Android Trojan Can Switch Biometric Screen Lock to PIN

A new piece of malware targeting Android devices is capable of covertly switching a given smartphone’s lock screen setting from biometric unlock to PIN authentication, thereby allowing to unlock the device “at will”, according to a new report. The so-called “Chameleon” trojan mainly operates by abusing permissions in Android’s accessibility options. It first emerged earlier this year, when it was targeting users in Australia and Poland; now, it has returned in a more advanced form, with a capability of conducting Device Takeover attacks.

NTT DOCOMO Ventures to Invest in Web3 Startup

Japan’s NTT DOCOMO Ventures will invest in Blocksmith&Co., a startup focused primarily on the development of blockchain-based Web3 games. Blocksmith is also working on a Web3 wallet that uses facial recognition for user authentication. In a statement, NTT DOCOMO Ventures said that Blocksmith would work with the NTT DOCOMO Group broadly “to achieve web3 mass adoption through the realisation of synergies between the two companies.” NTT DOCOMO, a mobile phone operator, has delved into the biometrics business before; in 2021, it agreed to act as a facial recognition reseller for RealNetworks subsidiary SAFR.

Himax to Showcase Next-Gen AI Processor at CES 2024

Himax Technologies will unveil the next-generation version of its WiseEye AI processor for battery-powered tinyML products and reference designs at next month’s Consumer Electronics Show. The company says that its WE2 processor delivers 32 times faster inference speed for AI, and more efficient power consumption compared to its predecessor. At CES 2024, Himax will showcase a range of applications of the WE2, including palm vein authentication, facial recognition, and object detection, among others. Himax will also provide a live demonstration of facial mesh analysis, which normally requires dedicated graphics hardware.

Isle of Man Residents Can Use Mobile ID for Alcohol Purchases

Residents of the Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown Dependency, can now use digital ID as proof of age for alcohol purchases. The Department of Home Affairs, which has jurisdiction under the Liquor Licensing and Public Entertainments Act 2021, formally approved such use of Digital ID Connect, a network of mobile digital identity apps developed by Yoti, the UK Post Office, and Lloyds Bank. The apps are free, and allow registered users to share information selectively, meaning they can confirm their age without having to display additional information such as name and date of birth.

IDEMIA Tech Supports Samsung Mobile ID in Arizona

IDEMIA has revealed that its technology is playing a key role in the newly available Samsung Wallet mobile ID in Arizona. The Transportation Security Administration announced earlier this week that is had begun trialing the use of Samsung’s mobile ID at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. In a new statement, IDEMIA explained that the Samsung mobile ID “leverages IDEMIA’s expertise in identity services and credentials issuance, its principles of privacy by design, end-to-end security and interoperability, as well as its privileged access to government systems of record.” IDEMIA says it has now rolled out mobile IDs in 10 states, “with more to launch next year.”

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December 22, 2023 – by Alex Perala