Cyber Defense Strategy and Supermarket Surveillance – 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:

AUKUS Talks Cyber Defense With Japan

The defense leaders of Australia, the U.S., and the U.K., under the AUKUS security pact, are exploring cooperation with Japan on advanced defense technologies as part of Pillar II of the agreement, aimed at bolstering capabilities against China’s growing influence. Pillar II focuses on enhancing joint capabilities and interoperability in areas such as cyber capabilities, AI, quantum technologies, undersea capabilities, and hypersonic missiles, separate from the nuclear submarine acquisition of Pillar I. The collaboration with Japan, recognized for its defense strengths and existing bilateral partnerships, would be project-specific.

UK Supermarket Deploys Biometric Surveillance Tech

Booths supermarkets in the UK has implemented facial recognition technology to deter shoplifting and abusive behavior towards staff. The system scans every face entering the store and compares it to a watchlist of people who have committed prior offenses at Booths locations. The company assures customers that unmatched images are deleted immediately and cannot be retrieved. Those added to the watchlist are removed after six months. Booths emphasizes that the system requires human verification by a trained security specialist before taking action.

Kuwait Turns to At-Home Biometric Kits Amid Registration Drive

In an effort to accommodate the elderly and ill, Kuwait is providing at-home biometric fingerprinting equipment as part of its mandate that all citizens and expatriates complete biometric registration by June. The directive, issued by Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Interior Minister Fahd Al Yousuf, ensures that individuals unable to visit official centers can comply with the new requirement from their homes. The policy began on March 1, and necessitates fingerprinting for continued access to Interior Ministry services, with non-compliance resulting in a suspension of services. Biometric registration can also be conducted at designated centers, including border outlets and Kuwait International Airport.

Kenya Pursues Digital ID

The Kenyan government is considering the implementation of a virtual identification system for its citizens, a move announced by the Information and Communication Technology Cabinet Secretary, Eliud Owalo. The initiative is part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at modernizing identification processes, moving away from traditional physical ID cards to a more efficient, secure, and less cumbersome virtual system. The move comes many years after a World Bank assessment recommended moving toward an Aadhaar-like e-ID system. Read the full story on Mobile ID World.

Russian Bill Would Mandate Biometric SIM Registration for Foreigners

Russia is introducing new regulations requiring foreign citizens and stateless persons to register on the State Services portal using biometrics to purchase SIM cards from Russian mobile operators, necessitating in-person visits to telecom stores. Part of a draft law by the Ministry of Digital Development, the measure exempts diplomats, international organization representatives, and refugees. The proposal aligns with broader government efforts to enhance oversight of migrants, particularly from countries with visa-free access, by mandating biometric and medical checks for stays exceeding three months. The bill is under review by various agencies and has progressed through an initial reading in the State Duma.

Air Filter Company Must Face BIPA Complaint

Camfil USA, an air filter supplier, has become the latest company to fall into the dragnet of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act. A federal judge has rejected the company’s request for a dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a former employee. The lawsuit concerns the company’s use of a biometric, fingerprint-based time and attendance tracking system. The former employee alleges that Camfil USA collected and used his biometric data over 1,000 times without obtaining his written consent and without providing the proper disclosures required under BIPA.

Researchers Develop Sonar-Like Tech for Gaze, Expression Tracking

Cornell University researchers have developed two innovative technologies, GazeTrak and EyeEcho, that use sonar-like sensing for tracking gaze and facial expressions. GazeTrak uses acoustic signals to determine where a user is looking, offering a power-efficient alternative to traditional camera-based systems. EyeEcho, similarly employing sonar technology, captures facial expressions by detecting skin movements, enabling the creation of dynamic avatars that reflect the user’s emotions in real-time. The researchers say their tech offers not only improved battery life for wearable devices but also potential applications in accessibility for those with low vision and in health monitoring for conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Certify Health Debuts Biometric Patient Check-In System

Certify Health, a Maryland-based provider of patient management software for healthcare providers, has launched a biometric check-in solution. The aptly-named Facecheck system is designed to let patients check in with a face scan, eliminating the need to fill out paperwork or go through other, more cumbersome electronic check-in processes. Certify Health demonstrated the solution at HIMSS, with Chief Growth Officer Kevon Kothari reporting that the “buzz generated by the Facecheck demo at HIMSS was beyond our expectations.”

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April 11, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis