Another Big BIPA Ruling, Paris Olympics Legislation, NEOM Airlines, 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:

Top Illinois Court Rules Union Workers Can’t Sue Employers Under BIPA

The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that unionized workers cannot sue their employers under the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), and must instead settle disputes about the collection and use of their biometric data through arbitration. The unanimous ruling was made in a case brought by Roosevelt University security workers, who alleged that the school used their fingerprint data in a biometric time and attendance system without obtaining their explicit consent.

French AI Surveillance Bill Passes, With Biometric Exclusion

French lawmakers have passed a hotly contested piece of legislation clearing the way for use of AI-backed surveillance systems at next year’s Paris Olympics, but forbidding the inclusion of biometric technologies. Alternative forms of computer vision, such as software that can detect abandoned bags or potentially dangerous crowd activity, will be permitted.

Saudi Officials Plan Biometric Tech for NEOM Airlines

Saudi Arabian officials are planning to launch a new airline that will specifically serve the forthcoming hi-tech city NEOM, and to implement a biometric check-in system for travelers. The NEOM Airlines project is being headed by former British Airways COO Klaus Goersch, who indicated that the project will employ facial recognition to recognize passengers as soon as they enter NEOM Airlines facilities.

AuthID Names New CEO, Board Chairman

AuthID has named Rhon Daguro as its new CEO, just two weeks after his appointment to the board alongside a trio of other new directors. Those appointments were part of a corporate overhaul that saw the resignations of multiple previous directors and CEO Tom Thimot, orchestrated as part of a deal to secure new financing from the investor Stephen J. Garchik. Daguro is the former Chief Revenue Officer of Socure; and at AuthID he will work alongside new Chairman of the Board Joe Trelin, a former CLEAR executive.

eBay Warns Sellers of Biometric Data Collection

eBay has informed its merchants that their biometric data may be collected as part of the platform’s effort to fight fraud and maintain compliance with Know Your Customer regulations. The notice comes as a result of changes to eBay’s privacy policy, which also now includes a warning that the platform automatically collects certain metadata included in photos uploaded from sellers’ cameras.

PayPal Brings Passkey Support to Android

PayPal has extended its support for passkeys to Android users in the US. PayPal was one of the first major brands to announce support for passkeys, which essentially store encrypted passwords to online accounts on a user’s smartphone and lock them behind biometric authentication; but its support was initially limited to Apple computers and tablets. PayPal hasn’t yet integrated passkey support into its Android app, but Android users can take advantage of passkeys through the Chrome browser.

Aqara Launches Face-scanning Smart Doorbell

Aqara has launched a new smart doorbell featuring facial recognition technology. The G4 doorbell is compatible with smart home platforms from Apple, Amazon, and Google, and can be customized to trigger custom responses, such as a welcome greeting, when certain individuals are recognized. In announcing the device, Aqara emphasized that it stores and processes biometric data locally, a claim that rival consumer tech company Anker is alleged to have falsely made with respect to its own face-scanning doorbells.

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March 24, 2023 – by Alex Perala

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