Facial Recognition Tech Goes Under the Sea – 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:

NECAM NSS President is IBIA’s Newest Board Director

The International Biometrics + Identity Association (IBIA) has welcomed a new member to its board of directors. Kathleen L. Kiernan, the President of NEC National Security Systems (NSS), an NEC Corporation of America subsidiary, “will add another level of depth to the Association’s well of industry through-leaders,” said IBIA board chairman John Mears. Kiernan joins three other directors, who were re-elected: Donnie Scott, the CEO of IDEMIA’s Identity and Security business for North America; Iris ID Global Sales and Business Development VP Mohammed Murad; and HID Global’s VP for Public Sector Biometrics, Chip Merrill.

Singapore Will Be Sumsub’s APAC HQ

Sumsub has announced that Singapore will serve as the home of its APAC headquarters, citing an “escalating threat of identity fraud in the region” that has coincided with the rise of a number of digital startups, including FinTech companies. Penny Chai, the former APAC Channels Director for Jumio who joined Sumsub earlier this year, will act as the firm’s leading sales representative in the region. Sumsub offers a suite of anti-fraud and KYC solutions, including a sophisticated 3D FaceMap system designed for authentication and deepfake detection. The company joined The Payments Association earlier this month.

Face-Based Entry Saves Cleveland Browns Thousands

The Cleveland Browns have sped up fan entry to the ballpark by 400 percent using face-scanning technology from Wicket, and are saving thousands of dollar per year in the process. The baseball team first partnered with Wicket in 2020, when it launched an “Express Access” ticketing system allowing registered fans to link their passes to their face biometrics. There are now 20 dedicated Express Access lanes, and over half of season ticket holders have opted in. According to an analysis of data for the 2022 season, the biometric gates can clear queues 10 minutes faster than average, reducing the space needed for ticketing operations and saving about $8,000 per ticketing lane over the course of the season. Wicket and the Cleveland Browns expanded their partnership last fall to enable biometric age verification for alcohol purchases at the FirstEnergy Stadium.

Onfido Brings Identity Verification Tech to ‘Magic’ Startup

Onfido will provide its ‘Real Identity Platform’ to Magic, a London-based startup focused on offering a marketplace of Know Your Customer solutions. Magic is looking to leverage Onfido’s identity verification technology, which uses facial recognition to match an end user’s selfie (or selfie video) to their official ID, and also verifies the validity of the ID itself. In announcing the partnership, Onfido explained that its technology will be integrated into a forthcoming beta program from Magic as the latter works to build a “Sign-up with Google” solution for regulated services.

Researchers Pioneer Dolphin Recognition Tech

University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers have developed a facial recognition tool for dolphins and whales, allowing them to track and monitor individuals in the course of marine research. “From a conservation standpoint, it is really useful to be able to recognize the same individuals over time because you can see what areas the individuals use,” said Philip Patton, a doctoral student at UH-Manoa’s Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.

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July 24, 2023 – by Alex Perala