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:
Georgia Tech Unveils ‘Chameleon’ AI System to Block Unauthorized Facial Recognition
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed an AI-based privacy tool called Chameleon, designed to protect personal photos from unauthorized facial recognition systems by generating invisible digital masks that maintain image quality. Unlike traditional methods that degrade visuals through blurring or pixelation, Chameleon uses a few user-submitted facial photos to create a unique mask that shields against AI-powered recognition without impacting visual fidelity. Testing shows Chameleon outperforms existing facial recognition protection models in both effectiveness and resource efficiency, highlighting its potential for widespread application on social media and personal photo collections. Developed by a team led by Professor Ling Liu and PhD students Sihao Hu and Tiansheng Huang, along with Ka-Ho Chow from the University of Hong Kong, Chameleon addresses increasing privacy concerns as generative AI models use vast amounts of scraped data without user consent. Further applications are being explored to prevent photos from unauthorized use in AI training, with plans to release Chameleon’s code on GitHub to encourage responsible AI use. The research was presented at ECCV 2024 in a paper titled “Personalized Privacy Protection Mask Against Unauthorized Facial Recognition.”
Philippines DOTr Partners with UltraPass for Airport Biometric System Pilot
The Philippines Department of Transportation (DOTr) has partnered with US-based UltraPass Identity Corp. to pilot a biometric processing system at key Philippine airports, aligning with global standards for touchless travel such as IATA’s One ID program. Formalized through an MOU signed on November 13, 2024, by DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista and UltraPass CEO Eric Starr, this partnership aims to enhance airport security and streamline passenger processing. The pilot phase will test the system at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before considering expansion. This initiative is part of the Philippines’ broader airport modernization strategy, addressing growing passenger volumes and advancing digital infrastructure.
AU10TIX Launches Bengaluru Hub to Support India’s Digital Identity Transformation
AU10TIX has expanded into India by establishing a new hub in Bengaluru to support the country’s digital identity transformation, leveraging its AI-powered identity verification technology. Serving India’s 1.4 billion citizens, AU10TIX aims to enhance local businesses’ global reach by processing over 3,000 types of identification documents across 150+ countries. The expansion aligns with India’s efforts to build on the Aadhaar digital identity system, particularly as demand for secure identity verification grows in the digital economy. Industry expert Bhushan Sawant has been appointed as Regional Director to lead this initiative, focusing on integrating AU10TIX’s solutions within India’s unique identity ecosystem and supporting startups and established businesses.
LSEG Partners with IDVerse to Combat Deepfake Fraud in Financial Identity Verification
The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has partnered with Australian verification provider IDVerse to enhance its digital identity and fraud prevention capabilities, focusing on combating deepfake deception in customer onboarding. Integrating IDVerse’s Zero Bias AI, which boasts 99.998 percent accuracy in customer authentication, the collaboration aims to protect against digital deception while eliminating discrimination in verification processes. This partnership addresses a critical need in the financial sector, where regulatory compliance and fraud prevention are paramount. According to IDVerse CEO John Myers, one in four fraud attempts involves digital deception, underscoring the urgency of this collaboration.
Vietnam Introduces Strict Social Media Regulations Requiring User Authentication and Content Control
Vietnam has introduced Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP, tightening control over social media and data management, requiring platforms to authenticate users through phone numbers or official IDs, and obliging foreign platforms with significant traffic to verify accounts, maintain user data, and swiftly remove illegal content. Non-compliance risks severe penalties, with content removal demands exceeding 90 percent compliance within 24 hours. Extending to gaming, the decree imposes playtime limits for minors, mirroring similar regulations in China and South Korea. Additionally, the government mandates anti-scam technology for phone calls and encourages domestic digital ecosystems to reduce reliance on foreign platforms, emphasizing Vietnam’s assertive digital governance shift.
Malta Business Registry Launches Tender for National Digital Identity Repository
The Malta Business Registry (MBR) has launched a tender to develop a Central Data Repository (CDR) as part of Malta Vision 2050, aiming to enhance digital infrastructure by creating a secure platform for storing and sharing documents and identity credentials. The proposed system will integrate digital e-wallet functionality for individuals and businesses, enabling secure access and document sharing through AI-powered technology to reduce administrative burden and enhance compliance. This phased implementation will start with inter-departmental government data sharing, followed by private sector integration, aligning with global trends in digital identity management to streamline government services. Proposals are open through the ePPS system until November 26, with the project incorporating high security standards, including encryption and phishing-resistant authentication, supporting Malta’s objectives for national efficiency and quality of life under the strategic goals of Malta Vision 2050.
California DMV, AuthenticID Collaborate on Mobile Driver’s License
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has introduced a mobile driver’s license (mDL) program in partnership with AuthenticID, integrating biometric identity verification for secure digital identity. After a successful pilot, the program allows California residents to download digital IDs via the California DMV app, with compatibility for Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and the California DMV Wallet, following ISO/IEC 18013 standards for security and interoperability. AuthenticID’s technology includes face matching and liveness detection to prevent fraud, with recent upgrades featuring Velocity Checks for enhanced security. Initially accepted at TSA checkpoints at LAX and select retailers for age verification, the mDLs are expected to expand across public and private services, advancing California’s digital transformation initiatives.
EU Launches Consultation on AI Act Definitions and Prohibited Uses
The European Union has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on definitions and banned applications under its new Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), inviting input from stakeholders until December 11, 2024. Following the Act’s enforcement in August 2024, this consultation is part of the EU’s initiative to develop guidance for AI compliance, focusing on key definitions and specific AI applications deemed unacceptable. The AI Act introduces a regulatory framework that classifies AI into four risk categories—minimal, limited, high, and unacceptable—targeting areas like infrastructure, employment, and law enforcement. Starting August 2026, AI providers must disclose AI interactions, with additional requirements for technologies involving biometric and emotion recognition, and deepfakes. The Act explicitly bans certain high-risk AI uses, such as social scoring systems and unrestricted public facial recognition. Feedback from industry, academia, and civil society will shape final guidance, with the European Commission planning to issue comprehensive compliance instructions in early 2025.
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November 13, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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