Are We Past Peak BIPA? – 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:

BIPA Cases Trend Downward in Q1

The first quarter of 2024 saw a notable decrease in federal lawsuits alleging violations of the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act (BIPA), marking the lowest level of such litigation since the fourth quarter of 2019, according to a Bloomberg Law analysis. With only 13 BIPA-related complaints filed in federal courts during this period, the trend suggests a significant drop from the previous year’s quarterly average of 22. This decline is particularly evident in employment-related BIPA suits, which halved from 12 in the last quarter of 2023 to six, primarily involving disputes over fingerprint-scanning time clocks and facial scan collections. Conversely, consumer-related BIPA complaints experienced a minor rise, driven in part by cases against biometric usage in dating apps. Factors contributing to the potential continued decrease in BIPA litigation include major settlements like the BNSF Railway case and prospective legal amendments, alongside the saturation of potential defendants after years of active litigation.

Lawmakers Reach Bipartisan Deal on Data Privacy

Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell and Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers have reached a bipartisan agreement on a draft bill aimed at enhancing consumer privacy protections. The proposed legislation intends to limit the amount of consumer data that tech companies can collect and grants Americans the authority to block the sale of their personal information or demand its deletion. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general would be endowed with extensive oversight capabilities to ensure compliance, supported by substantial enforcement mechanisms, including personal legal recourse for privacy violations.

SITA White Paper Talks Air Travel Biometrics

SITA has published a new white paper on biometrics in air travel, titled “Face the Future,” which addresses the escalating demand for more efficient and secure airport processes amid the booming air travel industry. With air passenger numbers expected to reach 8 billion annually by 2040, the white paper highlights the indispensable role of facial and fingerprint recognition technologies in overcoming the challenges of rising traveler volumes. It showcases successful implementations, such as the Star Alliance Biometrics and India’s DigiYatra program, through SITA Smart Path; as well as SITA’s additional solutions, like the SITA Flex platform and SITA Border Management, which have been deployed in over 40 airports globally. The white paper also discusses SITA’s leadership in the IATA’s One ID initiative and the development of Digital Travel Credentials.

Iberia Airlines Launches Biometric Boarding for Shuttle Service

On that note, Iberia Airlines has launched a facial recognition boarding system for its Air Shuttle service connecting Madrid and Barcelona. Available at Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat Airports, the service is open to adult Iberia Plus members with a Spanish ID or an EU passport. Registration for the service entails a one-time process through the Iberia app, involving a photo of the ID, a chip scan, and a selfie. The service, which maintains traditional boarding group protocols, offers an alternative to conventional boarding methods for those who have linked their boarding pass to their biometric profile. The system is currently supported on iOS devices, with Android compatibility anticipated. Biometric data is encrypted and stored on AENA’s servers.

HID, ASSA ABLOY to Showcase New e-Gate at PTE 2024

HID and ASSA ABLOY are launching a new self-boarding gate system at Passenger Terminal Expo 2024 in Frankfurt, featuring facial recognition for passenger identification. The system integrates HID’s U.ARE.U facial recognition camera with ASSA ABLOY’s speed gates to verify passengers’ identities during boarding. The process starts with a mobile check-in in which passengers authenticate their ID and take a selfie to create digital travel credentials. These credentials enable passengers to use facial recognition as identification at airport checkpoints. The system, designed for high-traffic areas, includes security features to prevent unauthorized access and offers customization options in size and color. Passenger Terminal Expo will run from April 16 to 18 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Disney Brings Biometric Entry to California

Disneyland Resort is enhancing security measures by introducing facial recognition technology at the entrance gates of Disney California Adventure. This initiative, part of Disney’s ongoing commitment to guest safety, involves a new procedure in which a Disneyland employee first checks if a guest’s photo is already in Disneyland’s system upon ticket scanning. If not, a photo is taken at the gate, and the guest’s face is scanned by a mounted camera to match the photo in the system, with the initial phase requiring removal of hats and glasses for accurate recognition. The move follows previous implementations of facial recognition technology at Walt Disney World Resort in 2021 and is in line with similar security practices at Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks.

Samsung to Address Fingerprint Issue With Software Update

A Samsung community manager has acknowledged issues with the fingerprint recognition feature on the Galaxy S23 series following the One UI 6.1 update, which has led to user complaints about difficulties unlocking their devices. The acknowledged malfunction involves the fingerprint scanner failing on initial attempts and, in some cases, causing the system to crash during the process. This problem affects the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra models updated to One UI 6. Samsung has announced that a software update to resolve this issue is forthcoming. In the interim, the company recommends that users employ alternative unlocking methods such as facial recognition or PIN codes. For those seeking immediate solutions, suggestions include removing the fingerprint lock, all screen locks, restarting the device, or performing a factory reset.

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April 8, 2024 – by the FindBiometrics Editorial Team