ID Tech Digest – November 21, 2024

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:

Lame Duck Session of Congress Could Prove Consequential for AI, Biometrics Sectors: Analysis

Congress’s lame duck session includes legislation that may significantly affect the AI and biometrics sectors. Proposed bills include the CREATE AI Act, aiming to establish a National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), and the Future of Artificial Intelligence Innovation Act, focusing on AI safety and standards development. The Defiance Act, enabling lawsuits against deepfake creators, and the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, which mandates online platforms to protect minors’ privacy, are also under consideration. Discretionary federal funding remains unresolved, with current funding set to expire on December 20, 2024, and proposals to combine appropriations bills into an omnibus package facing opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson.

With Billions of Accounts Supporting Passkeys, FIDO Anticipates 2025 Breakthroughs in Banking, Payments, and Travel

FIDO Alliance CEO Andrew Shikiar anticipates significant growth in passkey adoption in 2025, supported by the organization’s efforts to advance passwordless authentication. Passkeys, developed with partners like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, replace traditional passwords with cryptographic key pairs, offering enhanced security and user convenience. FIDO reports over a billion users have activated passkeys, with major platforms like Amazon supporting the technology. Consumer awareness has risen sharply, with 57 percent familiar with passkeys by 2024. Shikiar predicts one in four of the top 1,000 global websites will support passkeys by the end of 2025, with adoption expanding into travel, hospitality, banking, and payments. Sectors like banking and payments are expected to see large-scale implementation, with Visa and Mastercard integrating passkeys for payment authorization.

Kazakhstan Launches Facial Recognition System in Astana and Almaty for Public Safety

Kazakhstan has introduced a facial recognition system in Astana and Almaty as part of its broader digital infrastructure modernization efforts. Developed with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Security Committee, and Ministry of Digital Development, the system includes face recognition, abandoned object detection, and vehicle identification. It has been deployed in high-traffic areas such as railway stations, airports, and shopping malls. The technology has already aided in locating missing persons and apprehending wanted individuals, with 46 arrests in Astana and 30 in Almaty, according to authorities.. Kazakhstan’s network includes over 1.3 million cameras, enhancing public safety and law enforcement capabilities while prompting discussions on balancing security and privacy.

Finastra Reports Data Breach Investigation, Potential Impact on Global Financial Clients

Finastra, a global fintech company, is investigating a data breach detected through its internal monitoring systems. The breach’s scope, including the number of affected clients, remains undisclosed but could impact many individuals and businesses given Finastra’s extensive global client base. Potentially compromised data may include personal identifying information, financial details, login credentials, and sensitive business information. Finastra has notified law enforcement and authorities and is collaborating with cybersecurity experts to address the incident. The company has advised affected individuals to monitor financial statements, consider credit freezes, and enable two-factor authentication.

Gaming Industry Looks to Facial Intelligence to Tackle Compliance, Addiction, and Security

At the Global Table Games and Game Protection Conference in London, experts highlighted facial intelligence technology as a key tool for addressing security and compliance in the gaming industry. Corsight AI, represented by President Rob Watts, showcased its biometric solutions, including a system deployed in Sydney pubs and clubs through a partnership with AusComply. The system integrates with existing CCTV infrastructure to enforce self-exclusion policies by identifying individuals in real-time and alerting staff. Beyond self-exclusion, the technology also aids in identifying fraud and enhancing customer engagement by recognizing VIP guests. Corsight’s system incorporates privacy measures such as live face blurring and rapid data deletion to comply with regulations like Australia’s privacy laws and GDPR.

Zwipe Extends Access Control Presence with OSE Partnership

Zwipe has partnered with French PCB assembly provider OSE to deploy Zwipe Access biometric access cards across OSE’s facilities. The cards process biometric data entirely on-card, eliminating the need for external databases and enhancing privacy and security. This collaboration reflects the growing demand for biometric technologies in the access control market, projected to reach $13.1 billion by 2026. OSE, known for its expertise in electronic manufacturing and lean practices, emphasizes intellectual property protection and high-security solutions.

Turkish Airlines Embraces Face-scanning Tech

Turkish Airlines has introduced biometric facial recognition technology at Istanbul and Izmir airports to streamline the boarding process and reduce wait times. Following successful trials on flights from Boston and Miami, the system has demonstrated the potential to cut boarding times by up to 50 percent. Deputy General Manager Kerem Kiziltunc announced plans to expand the technology to additional locations as part of the airline’s digital transformation strategy.

Indian Government Mandates Aadhaar System for Welfare Payments

The Indian government has mandated that welfare subsidies and incentives be delivered exclusively through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) system using 100 percent Aadhaar biometric authentication. The APB system, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India, channels funds directly into Aadhaar-enabled bank accounts, reducing delays and eliminating ghost beneficiaries. The Ministry of Labour & Employment has also directed the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation to activate Universal Account Numbers (UAN) for employees via Aadhaar-based systems by November 30, 2024, starting with recent hires. UAN activation will provide employees real-time online access to provident fund services.

IDEMIA Faces R39 Million Lawsuit in South African Biometrics Tender Scandal

IDEMIA faces legal and reputational challenges over a R115 million Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) contract, now canceled amid allegations of irregularities. INFOVERGE, a South African BEE partner, has filed a R39 million damages claim, accusing IDEMIA of using its BEE status to secure the contract before excluding it from the project. INFOVERGE alleges that IDEMIA violated a formal agreement to allocate 30 percent of the work under South African law. Following internal investigations revealing procurement irregularities, ACSA terminated IDEMIA’s contract in August 2024 and suspended its Chief Information Officer. The controversy has drawn scrutiny from South African authorities and raised questions about IDEMIA’s R898 million smart driving license card contract.

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November 21 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala