A New Device Unlock Ruling, Public-Private AI Cooperation, and More – 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:

Fifth Amendment Does Not Protect Biometric Unlock, Says Federal Judge

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Fifth Amendment does not protect suspects from being compelled by police to unlock their phones using their fingerprints. The decision, from the case of United States v. Jeremy Travis Payne, maintains that using a suspect’s biometric data to unlock a phone requires no cognitive effort from the suspect, akin to taking fingerprints or a blood draw during booking. The judgment by the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit does not broadly apply to all instances involving biometric unlocking of devices but sets a significant precedent in the ongoing legal debates over the intersection of technology, privacy, and law enforcement. The court differentiated this act from scenarios where a suspect might have to use mental processes to comply, such as recalling a passcode, which could be protected by the Fifth Amendment.

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Promote Public-Private Cooperation on AI

A new bipartisan Senate bill, the Future of AI Innovation Act, has been introduced to promote greater collaboration between the federal government and the private sector on AI technology. Key provisions of the legislation include increased support for the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) for standards development, launching an AI testbed competition managed by NIST and the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories, and fostering international alliances to agree on AI standards. The bill also involves the Government Accountability Office and the National Science Foundation to identify challenges to AI application in federal operations and to advance private sector partnerships.

Indonesia, Tony Blair Institute to Study Digital ID in Transformation Effort

The Indonesian government will work with the Tony Blair Institute to study the issues of “data centers, digital ID, and connectivity,” according to the country’s Communication and Informatics Minister, Budi Arie Setiadi. The collaboration aims to support Indonesia’s national digital transformation vision. Discussions between Minister Setiadi and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair followed President Joko Widodo’s meeting with Blair regarding investments in renewable energy and carbon capture technologies in the new national capital, Nusantara, highlighting a broader commitment to incorporating advanced technologies in Indonesia’s development plans.

UNHCR Registers More Refugees in Nigeria

The United Nations’ refugee agency has provided another update on its efforts to register the biometrics of displaced populations, this time in Nigeria. Following violent attacks by NonState Armed Groups in the Far North Region of Cameroon, which caused populations to flee to Adamawa State starting in June 2022, a pre-registration process recorded over 22,200 individuals. In collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Adamawa State Emergency Agency (ADSEMA), and other key protection partners, the UNHCR initiated an Individual Basic Registration (L2) in May 2023. It’s part of a broader effort to address the needs of host communities, internally displaced persons, and refugees in an integrated manner in Nigeria’s Northeast region, which is already experiencing a humanitarian crisis.

Personal Deepfake App Passes 1M Downloads

D-ID says its Creative Reality Studio mobile app has surpassed one million downloads worldwide, just five months after its release. The app, available on both Google Play and iOS, allows users to create AI-powered digital avatars by uploading images and scripts. These avatars can speak and move, catering primarily to marketing and content creation, with uses also in learning and customer experience sectors. The app has been particularly popular in North America, Europe, APAC, and MENA, with significant recent download activity in India and the U.S. D-ID says future updates will deliver animated subtitles, advanced voice cloning, and more refined avatar control features.

Versasec Upgrades Credential Management Platform

Versasec has updated its credential management systems, vSEC:CMS and vSEC:CLOUD, enhancing their capabilities to issue and enroll passwordless authenticators that support FIDO2 fingerprint biometrics. Version 6.11 of the solutions includes new workflows designed to simplify the adoption of fingerprint technology for IT administrators and operators. The update improves the vSEC:CMS application startup speed and enhances communication performance, with optimizations specifically for thin client environments (VDI). The release also introduces a new integration with Ping Identity.

New Video Conferencing Monitors Feature Windows Hello Biometric Security

ViewSonic Corp. has launched its latest video conferencing monitors, the VG2757V-2K and VG2457V, available in 27-inch and 24-inch sizes respectively. They’re equipped with a Windows Hello certified IR camera for facial recognition enabling password-free sign-on, and a Zoom certified 5MP pop-up webcam with adjustable LED lighting. The monitors also boast front-facing 5W speakers and microphones to ensure clear communication. Other features include USB-C with 90W power delivery, RJ45 Ethernet, and USB-A hubs.

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April 19, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Cass Kennedy