Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
Corsight Facial Recognition Deployed in Gaza: Report
Israel’s military intelligence unit has deployed a facial recognition surveillance program in Gaza, reports The New York Times. The system uses technology from Corsight, an Israeli company, and is supplemented with Google Photos’ image search capabilities. It scans faces at checkpoints and analyzes drone footage to identify persons of interest. The program was initially intended to find Israeli hostages and Hamas fighters but broadened in scope to include those suspected of ties to Hamas. There are concerns about false positives, as in the case of Mosab Abu Toha, a Palestinian poet detained after being flagged by the system despite no apparent links to the organization.
Kurdish President Warns of Biometric Voter Recognition Issues
In a letter to Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani highlighted concerns regarding the region’s upcoming June 10th elections. Among those concerns were issues with the biometric voting machines used, with the letter stating specifically that they weren’t recognizing the fingerprints of many voters. In response to these concerns, an IHEC spokesperson noted that, on a national level, it is not uncommon for between nine and 15 percent of Iraqi voters to face issues with biometric voting systems recognizing their fingerprints.
Minister Seeks to Reassure Quebecers of Car Insurance FRT
In response to criticism and concerns voiced by the opposition Liberal Party, the government of Quebec’s cybersecurity minister has assured Quebecers that its planned use of facial recognition technology within the provincial vehicle insurance agency will not be abused. Minister Éric Caire said the province’s Access to Information Commission will have oversight over the use of the technology, and it will only be used to help clean up their photo database and prevent fraud.
NY Pilot Puts Face Cameras in Bodegas
Bodegas in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan are being equipped with facial recognition cameras funded by a state pilot program aimed at curbing robberies and theft. The cameras capture high-resolution images of customers and can be programmed by bodega owners to identify and alert them of flagged individuals. While the initial plan included a shared database of flagged people, an association representing the bodegas has opted to forego this feature. Civil liberty groups have voiced concerns about the technology’s potential for privacy violations and inaccuracies, particularly for people of color.
Megvii, UAE Firms Outperform in Latest NIST Report
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has published the latest report from its ongoing Face Recognition Technology Evaluation (FRTE) for 1:1 Verification. And with respect to accuracy, a controversial Chinese firm remains tied for first. In the Visa category, the firms Megvii, Viante, and Recognito demonstrated the strongest accuracy rate. They shared the same False Non-Match Rate (FNMR) of 0.0003 at a False Match Rate (FMR) of 1e-05. An FMR of 1e-05 represents a strong threshold in testing because it signifies a very low rate of incorrect matches, with only one false match expected per 100,000 attempts. Read our full story.
New Hyundai SUV Features Integrated Fingerprint Scanner
Hyundai has unveiled the 2025 Tucson SUV at the New York International Auto Show, introducing a suite of updates to its best-selling vehicle, including the implementation of a fingerprint sensor. The biometric feature, located on the instrument cluster, enables drivers to start and operate the vehicle without the need for a traditional key, enhancing both security and ease of use. The addition is part of Hyundai’s broader effort to incorporate human-centric technology and innovative safety features, including Forward Attention Warning and Smart Cruise Control 2, designed to monitor driver alertness and assist in preventing accidents.
Hitachi Vantara Federal Joins IBIA
Hitachi Vantara Federal has announced its membership in the International Biometrics + Identity Association (IBIA). This company says its collaboration with the IBIA aligns with Hitachi Vantara Federal’s long-standing dedication to providing secure, innovative solutions tailored to the needs of Federal agencies, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations, among others. Hitachi Vantara Federal brings its expertise in finger vein scanning and smart space video technology to the IBIA community.
1Kosmos Appoints ‘Field CTO’
1Kosmos has named Christine Owen as its Field CTO, a newly created position. In a statement, the company explained that Owen’s role will be to “report to the company’s sales organization and provide technical leadership, strategy and customer engagement support.” She comes to 1Kosmos from a previous position as the Director of Guidehouse, a cybersecurity and IAM consultancy she headed from June of 2019 to December of last year. Before that, she was a Senior Analyst for the consulting firm Oasys, where she authored ICAM acquisition guidance for the public safety community.
BioCatch Report Details AI Fraud in UK, EU
BioCatch has published a report highlighting the escalating threat of AI-powered scams in European financial institutions. The report finds that fraudsters are increasingly using AI to craft highly localized and personalized scams, including videos, voice recordings, emails, and text messages, to circumvent bank security measures. In the UK, voice scams decreased by 25 percent, potentially due to advanced fraud protection like behavioral biometric intelligence, but account takeover fraud is on the rise. The UK has implemented unique measures mandating reimbursement for fraud victims and sharing liability between involved banks, leading to a significant increase in mule account detection. The report also notes that 75 percent of fraud in Europe occurs on mobile devices, with a 43 percent increase in fraud involving stolen devices, particularly in the UK and Spain.
New and Upgraded Digital ID Solutions From iVALT, AU10TIX
iVALT has launched a “Universal Biometric ID“. Co-founded by Baldev Krishan, PhD, and Brian Stout in Pleasanton, California, the startup says its technology enables users to verify their identity across various platforms and devices with a single click on their mobile phone, thus eliminating the need for multiple passwords. iVALT’s system, protected by five granted patents and ten pending, combines biometrics with context-specific variables such as device ID, geofencing, and time constraints, adhering to what the company describes as the “never trust, always verify” principle of Zero Trust identity.
AU10TIX has announced the expansion of its Digital ID solution, designed to provide businesses with a comprehensive and secure way to verify a broad spectrum of IDs, including physical, digital, eIDs, and verifiable credentials. The system is fully automated, and can validate cryptographic signatures and cross-reference personal identifiable information against global government databases. It also supports face matching capabilities as a safeguard against false authentications.
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March 27, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis
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