Checking Rules and Regulations in Ireland, Scotland, and the US – 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:

Irish Parliamentary Committee Hears Testimony on Biometric Police Tech

The justice committee of Ireland’s parliament, the Oireachtas, is hearing testimony from legal and technology experts concerning proposed legislation that would give the gardaí, Ireland’s police force, the authority to use biometric identification technologies retrospectively in their investigations. This would specifically concern scanning CCTV footage pertaining to serious offences like murder and robbery. Among others, the Oireachtas Justice Committee will hear from Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner, Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI), Irish Council for Civil Liberties/Digital Rights Ireland, and a number of academics.

Police Scotland Deemed Compliant with Biometric Regulations

The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner has published his office’s first annual assessment of law enforcement’s compliance with the Scottish Code of Practice, determining that Police Scotland has checked all the boxes. In a statement, Commissioner Brian Plastow congratulated the police force. “Biometric data and technologies are used extensively for policing and criminal justice purposes and make a valuable contribution to community safety in Scotland,” he said. “When used in a lawful, effective, proportionate, necessary, and ethical manner, they also help promote public confidence and trust.”

Washington Senate Approves Legal Framework for Biometric Age Verification

The Washington State Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill 6179, which would establish a clear legislative framework for the use of biometric identification to confirm that consumers are of age to purchase alcohol. Such an application of biometrics is not currently prohibited in the state, but the Liquor and Cannabis Board suggested that it would be helpful to draft explicit guidance for biometric age checks. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where it must be approved before the legislative session ends on March 7 if it’s going to become law.

Proposed Kentucky Legislation Would Require Warrant for Police Biometrics

Kentucky Senator Adrienne Southworth has introduced a bill that would ban state and government agencies from using facial recognition in a criminal investigation without a warrant. Information obtained with the assistance of facial recognition in the absence of a warrant would be thrown out of court, according to Senate Bill 180’s provisions. The proposed law would also prevent the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet from providing state or local law enforcement with access to its database of driver’s license and state ID data.

PopID Provides Biometric Payment Tech for JP Morgan

Los Angeles-based PopID is providing biometric payment technology for JP Morgan. The latter has been experimenting with biometric payments since early last year, seeking to let consumers make purchases without the need to present cash, cards, or even a smartphone app. PopID has helped the company to develop a platform that enrols users on their smartphone and then prompts them to confirm in-store payments with a finger or face scan; the phone is only needed for an initial enrolment session.

Singapore to Expand Biometric Screening Program

Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has announced plans to install an additional 230 automated screening lanes at its border checkpoints, after deploying 160 such lanes last year. The country’s automated screening lanes are equipped with iris and facial recognition technology, and ICA says its goal is to implement a next-gen Automated Border Control System that will provide all Singaporeans and departing visitors with a streamlined, contactless experience that does not require them to present their passports.

MLB’s Expedited Entry Coming to Houston

Major League Baseball’s biometric stadium entry system is coming to Houston’s Minute Maid Park. The “Go-Ahead Entry” system, which uses facial recognition to automatically identify registered ticket holders, was first piloted at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park last year. Now, it will be available for Astros fans on opening day, after a couple of days of testing during planned exhibition games against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys from March 25-26.. According to the Houston Chronicle, MLB officials plan to bring the system to all stadiums this year.

Neurotechnology Announces MegaMatcher Upgrade

Neurotechnology has launched MegaMatcher 13.1, the latest version of its flagship biometric platform. It has a new voice-matching algorithm, optimized face template creation, and an enhanced MegaMatcher ABIS that is equipped with Neurotechnology’s latest fingerprint algorithm. The MegaMatcher ABIS also now allows biometric databases to be sorted into tiered hierarchies, enabling more refined searches.

Portugal’s Mobile ID Gets Legal Recognition

Portugal’s mobile ID app is now officially recognized as legal identification, thanks to the implementation of new legislation. The “id.gov.pt” mobile app allows users to store digital versions of their driver’s licenses, Citizen’s Card, the Documento Único Automóvel (DUA) vehicle registration document, and the ADSE health card for public employees. The new law decrees that these digital identity documents “are presumed to conform to the original documents, having equal legal and probative value.”

Statutory Declarations Go Digital in Australia

Australians can now sign statutory declarations online using the country’s digital ID system, eliminating the need to visit a Justice of the Peace in person. As InnovationAus.com reports, signatories will need to hold either a “Standard” or “Identity Proofing Level 2/2+” digital ID, depending on the type of document to be signed. “Level 2/2+” is an enhanced version of the Standard level that requires additional verifications, such as a face scan that can match the user to their physical ID. Read the full story on Mobile ID World.

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February 13, 2024 – by Alex Perala