Welcome to ID Tech’s digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
Australia Enacts Digital ID Act 2024 to Enhance Online Identity Verification
Australia has enacted the Digital ID Act 2024, effective December 1, 2024, introducing a secure, voluntary system for online identity verification to improve access to government and business services. Regulated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for accreditation and compliance, and overseen by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) for privacy, the system enforces strict controls on biometric data handling. Rolled out in phases, the Australian Government Digital ID System (AGDIS) currently supports over 185 government services, with plans to include state, territory, and private sector services by 2026. Accredited providers must meet rigorous standards for security, privacy, and usability, with privacy complaints and breaches managed by the OAIC.
Investigation Blames Consortium as Key Obstacle to EU’s Biometric Border Rollout
A Bloomberg investigation has revealed Atos SE as the primary cause of delays in the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES), now postponed to 2025. Tasked with delivering core hardware and software under a €142 million contract, Atos faced issues such as incomplete installations, misconfigured equipment, and inexperienced personnel. EU-Lisa, the agency overseeing the project, repeatedly flagged Atos’s failure to meet milestones, including delayed bug fixes and missing hardware. These setbacks have disrupted the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and increased costs for member states like Austria. Critics point to both Atos’s mismanagement and EU-Lisa’s limited oversight capabilities as contributing factors to the delays in this biometric border control system designed to integrate immigration processes across the Schengen Area.
FTC Settles with IntelliVision Over Deceptive Facial Recognition Claims
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a proposed settlement with IntelliVision Technologies over allegations of deceptive advertising related to its facial recognition software. IntelliVision was accused of making unsubstantiated claims about the accuracy, efficacy, and lack of bias in its technology, including assertions of superior performance and anti-spoofing capabilities. The FTC found that these statements were not supported by reliable evidence. As part of the settlement, IntelliVision is prohibited from making claims about its facial recognition software’s performance or bias-free operation without competent and reliable substantiation.
UK Biometrics Commissioner Report Highlights Urgent Need for IT Upgrades and Regulatory Clarity
The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Annual Report for 2023-24, presented to the UK Parliament, examines the state of biometric and surveillance technologies, highlighting national security applications and oversight challenges. Commissioner Tony Eastaugh reported 266 National Security Determinations (NSDs) during the period, with 227 approved, while noting persistent IT issues affecting accurate decision recording. Concerns were raised over the use of live facial recognition (LFR) in public spaces and the lack of dedicated legislation for emerging biometric technologies. The report emphasized the integration of AI in public safety tools, urging improved governance and accountability frameworks. Eastaugh also outlined preparations for transitioning biometric oversight functions to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) following the anticipated closure of his office under stalled legislative reforms. He called for transparency and regulatory clarity to address ethical and legal challenges posed by evolving biometric methods like gait and voice recognition.
Ohio Security Insurance Escapes BIPA Liability in Court Ruling
The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that Ohio Security Insurance Co. is not obligated to defend Wexford Home Corp. in a class action lawsuit under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The court found that the insurance policy did not cover claims related to BIPA violations, reversing an earlier circuit court decision in favor of Wexford. The decision highlights a common issue in BIPA cases, where insurance policies often exclude coverage for biometric data-related liabilities unless explicitly stated. This outcome underscores the importance for businesses to review insurance policies for coverage of biometric privacy risks and to ensure compliance with privacy laws like BIPA to avoid legal and financial vulnerabilities.
IDEMIA and CertiPath Team Up to Enhance Identity Verification in High-Security Environments
IDEMIA Public Security North America and CertiPath have partnered to integrate IDEMIA’s digital identity solutions with CertiPath’s TrustVisitor platform, enhancing identity verification for high-security environments like federal buildings and military bases. The collaboration will incorporate IDEMIA’s Identity and Verification (ID&V) technology, featuring capabilities such as document authentication, liveness detection, and digital tampering checks. CertiPath will also use IDEMIA’s Mobile ID Verify SDK, certified under ISO 18013-5 standards, to verify mobile driver’s licenses. TrustVisitor, a visitor management solution compliant with FICAM standards, aims to streamline secure visitor processing while ensuring strong identity assurance.
authID Partners with Berify on Biometric Identity Assurance in APAC Region
authID has partnered with Berify to integrate its Proof and Verified biometric solutions into Berify’s global authentication platform, focusing on secure user onboarding and authentication, particularly in the Asia-Pacific market. Berify’s platform, which combines blockchain and cybersecurity technologies, will leverage authID’s biometric identity capabilities to enhance identity assurance and detect duplicate identities, addressing identity fraud concerns. The collaboration supports Berify’s goal of providing reusable digital identities and aligns with authID’s expertise in passwordless authentication and machine learning-driven identity verification.
–
December 3, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
Follow Us