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 Passes Social Media Ban for Kids
Australia has enacted legislation banning children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, requiring platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X to implement secure age verification systems by the end of 2025. Enforcement options under consideration include biometric age estimation, document-based verification, and behavioral analysis. Biometric methods, such as facial analysis, offer seamless verification but raise privacy concerns, while document uploads provide high accuracy but pose potential data security risks. The law, which imposes fines of up to 50 million AUD for non-compliance, aims to mitigate cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and excessive screen time. Critics warn of unintended consequences, including privacy risks, exclusion of vulnerable youth, and potential circumvention through unregulated platforms or VPNs.
Thailand Prepares Biometric Identification System Expansion at Major Airports
Thailand will extend its biometric identification system to six major airports for international passengers starting December 1, 2024, following its domestic rollout in November. Airports include Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai. Travelers can enroll at check-in counters or self-service kiosks, where facial and document data are captured to create a digital token. The system enhances security, reduces identity fraud risks, and shortens processing times, cutting checkpoint delays from three minutes to one minute. Biometric data is erased 48 hours post-registration, complying with Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
Niagara County Sheriff’s Office First in US to Deploy Iris Biometrics in Patrol Cars
The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is the first in the U.S. to deploy iris biometric identification technology in patrol cars using the Inmate Identification and Recognition System (IRIS) by Iris ID. The system captures over 265 unique iris characteristics with a false acceptance rate of less than one in 1.2 million. It enables identity verification in under two seconds and integrates with law enforcement databases, meeting FBI CJIS security requirements. The mobile deployment enhances field-based verification during stops and bookings, reducing the need for central processing. Privacy safeguards include encrypted data transmission, secure storage, and templates that cannot be reverse-engineered.
Smile ID Reaches 200M Identity Verifications in Africa, Publishes 2024 Nigeria eKYC Report
Smile ID, a digital KYC provider specializing in biometric identity verification, has completed 200 million identity verifications in 11 months, doubling its previous milestone achieved over seven years. The company’s services, including biometric and NIN-based verifications, are widely adopted in Nigeria, driven by regulatory requirements from the Central Bank of Nigeria and a shift toward cashless transactions. Its 2024 Nigeria eKYC Report highlights that 80 percent of verifications over the past two years were for financial services, with biometric verification usage increasing from 23 percent to 46 percent between 2022 and 2024. Nigeria’s digital ID infrastructure, supported by over 110 million National Identity Numbers (NIN) and 98 percent database uptime, has enabled reliable identity verification, with biometric methods proving particularly effective for security and efficiency.
Air Canada Launches Facial Recognition Boarding for Domestic Flights
Air Canada has expanded its digital identification program to include facial recognition boarding for domestic flights, making it the first Canadian airline to adopt this technology for domestic travel. The system allows passengers to verify their identities in 2-3 seconds at camera-equipped gates, eliminating the need for physical IDs or boarding passes. Currently deployed at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) for flights to destinations like Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary, the initiative aligns with IATA’s One ID program and Transport Canada’s biometric guidelines. Privacy measures include encrypted data, automated deletion post-flight, and opt-in consent, ensuring compliance with Canadian privacy laws, including PIPEDA.
Serenity and IDEMIA Launch sAxess Biometric Card for Enhanced Digital Security
Serenity and IDEMIA Secure Transactions have introduced the sAxess biometric card, integrating blockchain and biometric technologies for enhanced security and access control. The card combines IDEMIA’s fingerprint authentication, based on its F.CODE platform, with blockchain-backed immutable transaction records and decentralized data storage. Fingerprint templates are securely stored on the card’s secure element, avoiding external databases. The sAxess card also offers blockchain-based data recovery mechanisms, addressing critical needs for secure data access.
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November 28 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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