Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
EU to Push Back Biometric Border System to 2025: Report
The European Union’s introduction of its new ‘entry-exit’ system (EES) for British travelers, which involves biometric checks like fingerprints and photographs, has been postponed to at least 2025. Initially set for launch in 2020 and later delayed to 2022 and then October 2024, the EES has faced multiple setbacks. Key issues include delays in developing a user-friendly and secure app that allows travelers to pre-register their biometric data, and challenges in integrating this technology with existing border systems. Additional concerns involve the system’s ability to handle rapid biometric scanning directly from vehicles, which could cause congestion at major ports such as Dover and potentially increase travel costs.
Colorado Enacts Privacy Protections Against ‘Neurotechnology’
Colorado has become the first state to explicitly protect neural data under privacy law, as signed by Governor Jared Polis. The legislation is a response to the expanding use of neurotechnologies, which can monitor and influence brain and nervous system activity. This tech ranges from brain-computer interface chips to wellness-focused brain wave readers. Colorado’s new law amends the Colorado Privacy Act to classify neural data as “sensitive data,” necessitating businesses to secure consumer consent before its collection and use, and to clearly inform consumers about how their neural data is handled. The law enforces privacy standards similar to those for other sensitive personal data, with violations subject to penalties.
NEC Tech Helps Zimbabwe Police to Catch Alleged Chinese Criminal
A Chinese fraudster has been arrested in Zimbabwe after attempting to enter the country with counterfeit documents, thanks to the application of facial recognition technology and international cooperation. The arrest was facilitated by NEC XON’s NeoFace Watch system, which is employed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The collaboration involved not just local police but also Qatar Airways and passport offices from the UK and Northern Ireland, highlighting the cross-border effort against identity fraud. The technology enabled the identification of Lin Xinwei, a member of a group carrying forged Chinese passports and UK residence permits, who had previously attempted to enter using a fake passport.
Tunisia to Get Biometric IDs in H1 of 2025
Tunisia has announced plans to adopt biometric ID cards and passports by the first half of 2025, adhering to the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) which mandates countries to implement such technologies by 2026. This initiative, endorsed during a ministerial working session involving the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communication Technologies, and the Ministry of Economy and Planning, aims to enhance security measures and streamline the identification processes for Tunisians, both domestically and internationally.
US Army Seeks Next-Gen Healthcare Tech
The US Army’s Defense Innovation Unit, under the Defense Health Agency (DHA), is calling for technological innovations to modernize the Military Health System (MHS). Aimed at improving the patient experience and accommodating advancements in health sciences, the initiative seeks digital solutions to enhance care delivery, especially in remote areas. This includes creating a “digital front door” for easy access to healthcare services, integrating with current systems, and facilitating seamless interactions through advanced technologies such as machine learning and chatbots. The call for proposals, open until May 1, 2024, invites vendors to offer modular and secure solutions to meet these goals.
AU10TIX Thwarted $18B in Fraud Since 2021
AU10TIX says its identity assurance technology has now averted over $18 billion in fraud since 2021. The company’s technology, particularly the Serial Fraud Monitor and the IDV (Identity Verification) Suite, has been deployed to fight fraud in sectors like payments, cryptocurrency, banking, and the shared economy. The IDV suite includes various verification techniques such as physical and digital document validation, voice and video consent, face comparison, and liveliness tests, while the Serial Fraud Monitor is designed to identify mass coordinated ID fraud using advanced neural networks.
Biometric Tech Arrives on SimpliSafe Platform
SimpliSafe is enhancing its home security systems by integrating AI and facial recognition technology alongside human oversight. This new feature, part of SimpliSafe’s security platform, allows human agents to access live feeds from outdoor cameras when the system identifies a potential stranger based on AI and facial recognition analyses. With this system, if an unrecognized individual is detected, agents can directly interact with the person, activate alarms, or contact emergency services while also notifying the homeowner through the SimpliSafe app. The solution builds on earlier indoor camera features and extends biometric monitoring to the perimeter of the user’s home.
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April 23, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis
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