Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
Surveillance
India’s Ministry of Defence has developed a facial recognition system designed to identify individuals even if they are wearing masks or disguises. The “Face Recognition System under Disguise”, or “FRSD”, was unveiled in a report entitled “AI in Defence”, which explained that it can be deployed in restricted areas for security purposes, or in “public places to recognise anti-social elements.” The Ministry doesn’t appear to have offered any data concerning the system’s accuracy or speed.
Cybersecurity
A recent memorandum that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent out to federal civilian agencies indicated that the implementation of zero trust security should be a top priority in near-term planning. “The Federal Zero Trust Strategy … requires agencies to achieve specific zero trust security goals by the end of FY 2024; budget submissions are expected to prioritize ensuring this work is completed,” the memo said, adding that cybersecurity experts from the Office of the National Cyber Director, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the OMB itself would help agencies to refine their plans.
Government Programs
The Defense Information Systems Agency has launched its own tech incubator, dubbed “DISAWERX”. Inspired in part by the Air Force’s AFWERX innovation hub, DISAWERX is meant to help researchers from the DoD, academia, and industry explore innovative technologies. As FedScoop reports, DISAWERX was formed through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between DISA’s Emerging Technology Directorate and KBR, and engineering firm, whose Joint All Domain Warfighting Lab in Maryland serves as host venue for the program.
Selfie Onboarding
Payset, a UK-based currency exchange and payments platform provider, has become iDenfy’s latest customer. The development comes after the selfie onboarding specialist’s client base surpassed 500 organizations this past spring. “Our new partner has helped us create a premium, hassle-free account opening process for every customer without compromising on compliance and security,” explained Payset CEO Perry Asforis.
BIPA Lawsuits
Snap has filed a request for a stay of proceedings in its BIPA lawsuit. Thirty-one plaintiffs are suing the company under Illinois’s biometric privacy law over the collection of their face biometrics when using the Snapchat social media platform. But there is a disagreement over whether they are correct to make damages claims “per scan”, with Snap arguing that plaintiffs can make a claim concerning only the initial biometric scan. Snap says the case shouldn’t proceed until the Illinois Supreme Court resolves the question in a separate BIPA case, a ruling that is expected in the near future.
Web3
Humanode, the ambitious crypto startup that uses biometrically-authenticated individuals as nodes in its blockchain network, has teamed up with Ink Finance, the provider of a DAO governance tool. A DAO, or “Decentralized Autonomous Organization”, is an organization with no central authority, instead opting for governance through members’ blockchain-based crypt tokens. Humanode’s biometric blockchain system, powered by FaceTec technology, should therefore be useful in ensuring that each DAO member is unique, thereby preventing sybil attacks and fraud.
Face-based Fingerprint Scanning?
Google is reportedly found a new tool to fix the Pixel 6 smartphone’s poor fingerprint sensor performance: facial recognition. Citing “sources familiar with the matter,” 9to5Google reports that Google is preparing to launch a face-scanning system that would act as a supplement to the under-display fingerprint sensor, lowering the threshold for a successful fingerprint scan in cases where the user’s face is recognized to some degree. Read the full story on Mobile ID World.
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August 19, 2022 – by Alex Perala
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