Airport Biometrics Gets Political Under “Joe Biden’s TSA”: 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:

TSA’s CAT-2 Terminals Come Under Criticism

Some Republican lawmakers are criticizing the Transportation Security Administration’s rollout of face-scanning kiosks in political terms, with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) comparing the activities of “Joe Biden’s TSA” to the surveillance states of China and Russia. The TSA’s new CAT-2 terminals are now in place at several major airports, with a national rollout ongoing. The TSA started exploring the use of facial recognition under the Trump administration; survey-based research has found that attitudes about government surveillance tend to shift based on which political party is in power.

Lawmakers Ask MSG CEO to Stick to Security Applications for Facial Recognition Tech

New York state legislators including Senator Brad Hoylman have sent a letter to Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan asking him to restrict the use of facial recognition at MSG venues to security applications. The letter reflects outrage after the technology was used to identify a lawyer involved in lawsuits against Madison Square Garden Entertainment when she arrived at a Christmas concert at the Radio City Music Hall, with security personnel having proceeded to eject her from the venue.

Korean Researchers Detail Temperature-linked Fingerprint Scanning

Researchers from Korea Polytechnics and Sookmyung Women’s University have detailed a novel approach to fingerprint-based authentication that combines fingerprint imaging with temperature detection. The system requires the use of quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) displays, rather than the traditional OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) screens, but has the advantage of using temperature sensing to flag possible spoofing attempts.

Illinois Casino Reaches BIPA Settlement

The operator of the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria, Illinois, has reached a $825,000 settlement in a class action lawsuit under the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The lawsuit concerned the casino’s use of a face-scanning surveillance system, with plaintiffs arguing that operators did not properly obtain consent from subjects as required under BIPA. The plaintiffs’ law firm, Stephan Zouras LLP, has been involved in over 150 BIPA cases since June of 2017, reports the Journal Star.

Arlington Sheriff Wants to Use Biometric Wearables to Prevent Jail Deaths

There’s a new sheriff in Virginia’s Arlington County, and he wants to use biometric wristbands to help keep prisoners safe. Sheriff Jose Quiroz says that biometric monitoring could be used for health and wellness checks in a bid to prevent deaths from suicide and medical conditions, and to ensure the health of inmates who are suffering from withdrawal from drugs. The bracelets will initially be implemented in the medical areas of the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Japanese Railway Company Explores Biometric Fare Payments

The West Japan Railway Company (or “JR West”) is planning to launch a biometric fare payment system in March. At Osaka Station’s Umekita Underground Exit and Shin-Osaka Station’s East Exit, travelers will be able to pay for their tickets through a face scan as they pass through new, barrier-free gates. It’s a system that could be more convenient for customers while also speeding up throughput.

Yoti Declares Success of Age Estimation Pilots

Pilots of biometric age estimation technology at UK supermarkets have been deemed “a great success” by the vendor involved, Yoti. Its partners Tesco and Asda used Yoti’s tech to guess the age of shoppers buying alcohol at self-checkout kiosks, flagging employees when a shopper looked to be underage. The pilots were conducted in partnership with the Home Office, which commented in a statement that “[the] trials generated a number of outcomes that provide important learning points for alcohol retailers and for those responsible for monitoring and enforcement.”

BIO-key Receives Potential Delisting Warning From Nasdaq

BIO-key has received a notice from the Nasdaq stock exchange warning that its shares could be delisted as a result of falling below the $1.00 minimum closing price for 30 consecutive trading days. It has about six months to correct course. “We are confident in the global outlook for BIO-key in 2023, as well as our ability to regain listing compliance according to the Nasdaq guidelines,” commented CEO and Chairman Mike DePasquale. “Our enthusiasm is based on our growing annual recurring SaaS license and maintenance revenue along with our expanding pipeline of additional customer opportunities.”

Biometric Car Gets Reviewer Locked Out of His House

An Australian car reviewer says that the Genesis GV60’s innovative biometric features resulted in him getting locked out of his own house – but he doesn’t blame the car. In fact he seems to like the electric car’s biometric tech, which he calls “slick”; it allows the user to unlock doors with facial recognition, and to start the car with a fingerprint scan. That meant the reviewer could leave the keys at home, which he did – forgetting his house keys in the process.

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January 16, 2022 – by Alex Perala

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