A Cyberattack Against Police, a Privacy Review for Airlines, and More – Identity News Digest

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

Transportation Department Launches Airline Privacy Review

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is launching a privacy review of major airlines due to concerns about how they collect and manage passengers’ personal data. This includes sensitive information obtained through their apps, ticketing purchases, and increasingly, biometric screening systems. While not traditionally focused on digital privacy, the DOT has the authority to penalize airlines for unfair or deceptive practices concerning passenger information. The initial phase of this review encompasses a range of airlines, including Allegiant, Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United, all of which have been formally notified.

Stanford Police Disclose Cyberattack

A cybersecurity breach at Stanford Police in California has compromised the personal information of 27,000 individuals, including social security numbers, credit card details with security codes, email passwords, medical records, and biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans. The breach occurred on May 12, 2023, but was only discovered on September 27. It was not disclosed until this week, via a mandatory filing in Maine. The hackers, identifying themselves as “Akira” on a dark web forum, claimed responsibility and boasted about leaking 430 GB of Stanford’s internal data online after the university apparently did not meet their ransom demands.

Dubai Tests Robot Bike Traffic Cop

Dubai authorities are testing an AI-powered ‘Robocop’ in the Jumeirah 3 beach area, designed to enforce regulations concerning the use of electric scooters and bicycles. The smart robot, equipped with facial recognition technology, is part of a trial by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and will eventually link violations to individuals’ Emirates IDs. During the 30-day trial, the robot will not issue fines but will collect data on five major violations, including crowd gathering on cycle tracks, non-adherence to safety protocols, abandonment of scooters in unauthorized areas, scooter sharing, and misuse on pedestrian paths. The trial aims to assess the robot’s AI detection accuracy and data monitoring quality.

Ghana Electoral Commission Denies Missing Voter Machines

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has denied allegations brought forth by the Minority Caucus in Parliament that seven Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) have gone missing. The EC clarified that only five laptops used in conjunction with biometric kits have been stolen. Samuel Tettey, Commissioner in charge of Operations, assured the public that the BVDs themselves are secure and that the missing laptops, which do not contain sensitive data, will not compromise the integrity of the 2024 elections.

Chrome Embraces Windows Hello

Google Chrome is set to enhance user security and convenience by integrating Windows Hello, known for allowing users to employ biometric data like fingerprints and facial recognition alongside PINs for secure access, as its default authentication method for Windows 10 and 11 users. The transition to Windows Hello in Chrome will streamline user identity verification by replacing the existing Wincred system with the UserConsentVerifier API, addressing latency issues associated with the current mechanism. While Wincred will not be entirely phased out, its role will be diminished as Chrome moves to offer a more efficient and secure user experience through biometric authentication.

Intercede Upgrades MFA Platform

Intercede has launched MyID MFA 5.0, an updated multi-factor authentication (MFA) platform. The update focuses on phishing-resistant authentication options for cloud, on-premises applications, and Windows desktop login. Key enhancements include support for FIDO passkeys, including biometric-protected hardware devices, to bolster security. MyID MFA can also function as a FIDO authentication server and supports federation for sharing identity and authentication data across on-premise and cloud systems. Intercede is a firm specializing in digital identity and credential management solutions, based in the United Kingdom.

Audience Engagement Platform Uses Emotion Recognition

Maiven has introduced a Beta version of its AI-powered video testing software, designed to offer video creators insights into audience reactions before their content goes live. Using advanced facial recognition, the software analyzes second-by-second emotional responses across five key emotions and employs eye-tracking technology to generate heat maps indicating viewer focus areas. The tool aims to provide a more efficient, cost-effective alternative to traditional focus groups by eliminating biases and offering direct feedback on viewer engagement and perception.

Nigeria’s Digital ID Program Gets Steering Committee

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) of Nigeria has announced the inauguration of the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project Ecosystem Steering Committee, a pivotal move towards the country’s digital transformation. The overarching Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project is supported by several international organizations, including the World Bank, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the French Development Agency (AFD). Read the full story on Mobile ID World.

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March 21, 2024 – by the FindBiometrics Editorial Team