Governments Seek and Scrutinize Biometric Tech: 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:

Audit Finds Blacklisted Surveillance Cameras in Australian Government Buildings

An audit conducted by Australia’s Shadow Minister for Cyber Security found over 900 surveillance devices from companies with ties to the Chinese Communist Party deployed across 250 government buildings in the country, including Defence and Foreign Affairs facilities. The devices are from companies like Hikvision and Dahua, which have been blacklisted in the United Kingdom and the US over concerns about their potential use by the CCP for spying and the companies’ involvement in human rights abuses in China. Australian authorities have said they will remove the surveillance devices.

UK, French Transport Authorities Brace for Biometric Border Control

The UK’s Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, held meetings with transport officials in France in an effort to smooth out communications and prepare for the coming implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System, a biometric border control program that travel and tourism industry stakeholders fear will severely disrupt travel between the two countries. Harper met with his French government counterpart, Clement Beaune, as well as Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave and officials of the company that manages Channel Tunnel and Shuttle transportation. EES was meant to take full effect in May but its deadline was recently delayed by European Union authorities.

Senators Call for Halt to TSA’s Facial Recognition Deployments

Five US senators have issued a joint statement calling for the Transportation Security Administration to halt its rollout of facial recognition across American airports. “Increasing biometric surveillance of Americans by the government represents a risk to civil liberties and privacy rights,” stated the letter, signed by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Russian Authorities Seek Vendors for Biometric Border Tech

Russian authorities are inviting tenders for a biometric border control contract valued at 830 million rubles, or roughly $11.2 million USD. The contract would entail the provision of facial recognition technology, to be deployed at land border checkpoints with Lithuania, Poland, Kazakhstan, and China, with travelers to be matched against a biometric database. Authorities are aiming to get the technology delivered by November 25 of this year.

BIPA Produces Another ‘Virtual Try-On’ Lawsuit

The Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance chain of beauty salons in Illinois has become the latest company to face a lawsuit under the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), thanks to a ‘virtual try-on’ tool offered through its website. As in so many other BIPA cases, the company is accused of failing to obtain the consent of individuals whose biometric data was collected and used by the virtual try-on system, and for failing to properly disclose its data retention policy as required under the Act.

Zimbabwe Telecom Prepares Biometric KYC System

Zimbabwe-based telecom Econet Wireless is planning to implement a biometric Know Your Customer system, reports New Zimbabwe. The company characterizes as the project as one aimed at fighting fraud and cybercrime, and says it is making progress on an identity system that may incorporate face, fingerprint, or voice biometrics.

PopID’s Biometric Payment Tech Comes to Carrefour Shops in Dubai

Biometric payments pioneer PopID has further extended its presence in the Middle East, thanks to a new partnership with Network International and the Carrefour supermarket chain. Customers can now register for PopID’s Face Pay system at select Carrefour stores in Dubai, UAE, enabling them to pay for products through a simple face scan. There is no need to register in-store; those who want to opt into the program can do so through the Carrefour mobile app or website. The news comes after PopID established a partnership with Qatar National Bank last month.

Airport Biometrics Efforts in Philippines, Dubai

AirAsia is planning to bring a biometric ticket purchase system to the Philippines, though a spokesperson said the airline is still “clearing hurdles” to reach that goal. Speaking to reporters at an event in the Philippines, the CEO of AirAsia’s parent company, Capital A, said he is “a big believer in facial recognition for payment, for security procedures.” The airline began enabling customers to pass through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia using facial recognition technology last fall.

A biometric passenger processing system has now officially launched at the Dubai International Airport, enabling registered travelers to pass through the airport without the need to present passports or boarding passes. The system revolves around the use of facial and iris recognition, and is available to Emiratis, expatriates, and visitors who have registered with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

Chrome Update Deliver Biometric Password Autofill

Google has introduced a biometric authentication feature in the newest version of its Chrome browser. Users whose computers support biometric authentication systems can use them to auto-fill stored passwords when logging into their online accounts with Chrome 110. The update also ends Chrome’s support for the Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems.

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February 10, 2023 – by Alex Perala

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