Digital Upgrades in the Works – 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:

TSA Consulting With DHS S&T Ahead of CAT-2 Rollout

The Transportation Security Administration says it is in “the beginning stages” of an effort to integrate facial recognition technology into self-serve kiosks at airports across the country. The agency first announced plans to deploy the technology across all US airports last July, after initial pilots of face-scanning “CAT-2” terminals at 25 airports. Now, the TSA tells Nextgov/FCW that CAT-2 units have been installed at 30 airports, and that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate to analyze performance data ahead of a wider rollout.

IDEMIA Developing Mobile ID for West Virginia

The government of West Virginia has announced that it is working on a mobile ID that is expected to launch in the spring of this year. The West Virginia Mobile ID will comprise a digital driver’s license and ID card stored on the end user’s smartphone, and is being developed by IDEMIA in consultation with the state government and law enforcement authorities. In revealing the mobile ID effort, the governor’s office also announced the immediate launch of a digital vehicle registration card, a move that will eliminate “the need to rummage through glove compartments or worry about misplaced cards.”

UK Policing Watchdog Warns of Lack of ‘Legal Foundation” for Live Facial Recognition

The United Kingdom’s Justice and Home Affairs Committee has written to Home Secretary James Cleverly advising that the use of live facial recognition technology by police “lacks a clear legal foundation,” calling for the establishment of a legislative framework and clear regulations concerning the tech. The Justice and Home Affairs Committee is a select committee within the House of Lords whose main function is to scrutinize government work in justice and law enforcement. The country’s Metropolitan Police force has been conducting regular deployments of LFR, resulting in dozens of arrests in recent weeks.

India’s Parliament Gets Biometric Security Boost

Authorities in India have implemented new security protocols for access to the country’s Parliament after protestors gained access to the central chamber last month. Visitors to Parliament will now have to fill out an application form online, which will result in the issuance of a QR code to their smartphone for verification at Parliament’s entry gate. According to the domestic outlet News Nine, there will also be a “biometric check” involving taking photos of visitors, after which smart cards are issued enabling access to Parliament’s gallery.

RecFaces to Participate in Online FRT Panel

Dubai-based RecFaces has announced plans to participate in an online panel discussion to be hosted by India’s Security Today Group. Titled “Securing Tomorrow: A Deep Dive into Facial Recognition Integration for Business Excellence”, the discussion is slated for 3:30 p.m. IST on January 31, 2024, and will feature business leaders from the manufacturing industry. RecFaces launched a biometric time and attendance tracking system for businesses, dubbed “ID-Time”, in late 2022.

Dubai Seeks Biometric Upgrade for Fare Payments System

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has granted a contract for the upgrade of its card-based ticketing system to a digital fare payment system that will incorporate facial recognition technology. The project is part of two broader, ongoing digital transformation programs, a “Cashless Dubai” initiative and a longer-term “Digital Strategy Roadmap” for RTA spanning 2023 to 2030. The fare payment project reportedly represents an AED350 million (or roughly $95 million) investment.

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January 29, 2024 – by Alex Perala