AI, Mobile ID, and an Election in Question: 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:

Civil Society Group Deems Nigeria’s Biometric Election Not Credible

A Nigerian civil society coalition is denying the credibility of the country’s recent presidential election, partially because of technical issues with a biometric voter verification system. According to a Reuters report, the new electronic system that used biometrics to identify voters appeared to “overwhelm” Nigeria’s telecommunications network, requiring results to be tabulated manually, and giving rise to suspicions of fraud. The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room coalition also lamented the interference of violent incidents and voting disruptions on election day.

Facephi Names SVP of Partners Channel

Facephi is looking to boost sales with the appointment of Alejandro Gómez de Cuenca as the Senior Vice President of its new Partners Channel. Gómez de Cuenca is a co-founder of Avalon Biometrics, which was established in 2004 and acquired by Gemalto in 2013. Gómez de Cuenca then served in multiple roles with Gemalto, eventually becoming a VP of Thales after its acquisition of the firm. Before joining Facephi, Gómez de Cuenca was the head of Thales’ Solution Sales and Business Development for Africa and the Middle East. In announcing his appointment, Facephi CEO Javier Mira explained that he is expected to help the company “to access new areas and diversify our current channels.”

New AI Tool Uses Non-biometric Computer Vision to Track Individuals

Ambient.ai has launched a new investigative tool that can track individuals using non-biometric computer vision capabilities. Dubbed “AI-Powered Forensics”, the solution enables users to scan surveillance camera feeds for certain objects, behaviors, and individuals, with the latter being tracked through things like shirt color. It even allows searches that combine these functions, such as scanning a video feed for “a person in a black shirt removing a package”. The company says these searches can be performed “near real-time”.

IDEX-Infineon Biometric Card Solution Moves to Mass Production

Linxens, a maker of electronic smart card components, has placed a volume production order for Infineon’s SLC38 chips, which include card operating software from IDEX Biometrics. The 1 million units will be integrated into custom EMV modules for IDEX’s biometric payment card solution. The production milestone comes after IDEX and Infineon found their first customer for a biometric card reference design in the summer of 2021. “We are excited to see that our complete solution for biometric smart cards has reached the commercialization phase,” said IDEX CEO Vince Graziani.

Alcatraz AI to Demo New Onboarding System at ISC West

Alcatraz AI will demonstrate its flagship biometric access control platform along with its recently announced mobile enrolment system at this year’s ISC West event. The latter enables organizations to register individuals into a face-based access control system remotely, through the convenience of their mobile device, and comes with an integrated “Privacy Consent Management” feature to help ensure compliance with privacy regulations. ISC West will run from March 28 to 31 in Las Vegas, with Alcatraz AI showcasing its tech from booth #30075 at the Venetian Expo.

Biometric Boarding Comes to Sacramento Airport

Authorities at California’s Sacramento International Airport (SMF) have deployed biometric boarding systems at select gates for international flights. The technology has been provided by Amadeus, with facial recognition being used to match travelers again passport or visa photos in Department of Homeland Security databases. “This technology will save time and reduce stress for our travelers and will provide a secure, touchless departure process for identity verification,” said Sacramento County Department of Airports director Cindy Nichol.

Utah Enables Selfie Onboarding for Mobile ID

The Utah Department of Public Safety’s Driver License Division (DLD) is now enabling state residents to set up their own mobile driver’s license at home, marking what is essentially the official, broad launch of the digital ID system after a smaller-scale rollout began last year. The self-enrolment system uses facial recognition backed by liveness detection match an app user to the photo on their physical driver’s license. The enrolment process also involves scanning a barcode in place on the back of the physical license.

Canada Resumes Biometric Scanning of Temporary Residents

The Canadian government has resumed the collection of biometric data from temporary residents after an almost three-year suspension enacted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Visiting students and workers will need to make their way to one of the more than 70 Service Canada centers to submit their data in person, with the facilities reopening after having shuttered due to public health restrictions in July of 2020.

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March 3, 2023 – by Alex Perala

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