ID Tech Digest – November 7, 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:

SITA and IDEMIA Partner to Enhance Digital Identity Security in Air Travel

SITA and IDEMIA Public Security have formed a partnership to create an open trust network for digital identity verification in air travel, aimed at enhancing interoperability and security. The collaboration builds on IDEMIA’s focus on biometric and digital identity solutions, following recent strategic developments, including the appointment of Vincent Bouatou as CTO. The partnership targets the travel sector’s need for consistent, secure identity solutions across various digital platforms. The initiative aligns with SITA’s One ID deployments in Thailand, where face biometric systems are being implemented at major airports to reduce dependency on physical documents. The Digital Travel Ecosystem, developed with Indicio, operates on a decentralized model, allowing travelers to control their data and share it securely with explicit consent.

Australia to Require Age Verification for Social Media, Bans Users Under 16

Australia plans to implement stringent age verification laws for social media, aiming to ban users under 16 from major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. The proposed legislation, unveiled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, requires social media companies to verify users’ ages and actively block underage access. The eSafety Commissioner will enforce compliance, with companies given 12 months post-legislation to implement age verification systems. Age verification methods under evaluation include document-based ID checks, biometric age estimation, third-party verification, and behavioral analysis. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland highlighted extensive consultations with experts and advocacy groups to balance harm reduction with online engagement. Despite this, over 140 experts have expressed concerns about privacy and feasibility, warning that enforcement may face technical hurdles and risk excluding youth from essential online resources.

Malaysia’s Targeted Fuel Subsidy Overhaul Would Use MyKad Biometric ID

Malaysia’s government has proposed an overhaul of its fuel subsidy system, leveraging MyKad, the national biometric identity card, for targeted subsidy distribution. Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli announced that the initiative would require drivers to authenticate their identity at fuel pumps to access subsidized RON95 petrol rates, utilizing MyKad’s biometric infrastructure developed by Datasonic Group. This system builds on Malaysia’s ongoing digital identity initiatives, like the recent MyDigital ID requirement for driver services in the MyJPJ app. Implementing biometric verification at fuel pumps presents challenges, including managing high transaction volumes and preventing fraud through borrowed or duplicated credentials. Integration complexities also arise, as vehicle ownership and income data are maintained separately by the Road Transport Department and Inland Revenue Board.

XRP Ledger’s DID Amendment Brings Decentralized Identity to Blockchain Transactions

The XRP Ledger has activated its Digital Identity (DID) Amendment through XLS-40, introducing decentralized identity management to its blockchain network. Approved by 85.71 percent of validators on October 30, 2024, this amendment enables users to control their digital identities independently of centralized entities, addressing privacy and security concerns in digital transactions. The DID system uses a two-way pointer mechanism, linking a user’s on-chain DID object to an off-chain DID document, making identity forgery nearly impossible. By integrating DID capabilities directly within its financial infrastructure, the XRP Ledger aims to address key identity challenges in decentralized finance (DeFi), supporting roles for users, credential issuers, and verifiers, all while maintaining privacy and security through selective disclosure.

Apple Adds Face ID Authentication for Trusted Computers in iOS 18.2 Beta

Apple’s iOS 18.2 Beta 2 introduces Face ID authentication for trusted computers, allowing users to confirm connections with facial recognition instead of entering a device passcode. This new feature, expanding Apple’s biometric security framework, enhances the process of connecting iOS devices to unfamiliar computers while maintaining stringent data protection. When a user connects their iPhone or iPad to a new computer, Face ID now provides an added layer of security, creating a unique identifier pairing to prevent unauthorized access via USB. This aligns with Apple’s increased security focus since iOS 16, which requires trust verification even for previously authorized computers if local backup is enabled.

Walmart Tests Customer Mobile ID for Access to Locked-up Products

Walmart has introduced a new NFC-based system for unlocking secured products, using the Me@Walmart app to enable store associates to access high-theft items through their mobile devices. This digital solution replaces traditional keys with mobile-based authentication, allowing authorized employees to unlock merchandise securely. Managed via InVue Live Access software, the system gives Asset Protection coaches control over access permissions. This change comes as retail theft has surged, with the National Retail Federation reporting $94.5 billion in losses in 2023. Early feedback on the system is mixed; while some stores report improved customer service speeds, others encounter technical issues requiring app restarts to detect locks. Customer research shows that slow access to locked items can lead to frustration, with 17 percent of shoppers opting for different retailers and 10 percent abandoning purchases.

Biometric Adoption Soars Among Travelers, IATA Survey Finds

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published its 2024 Global Passenger Survey, revealing a strong and growing preference for biometric technology in air travel processes. According to the survey, 46 percent of travelers have already used biometric identification, particularly at immigration checkpoints, with 84 percent expressing satisfaction. Additionally, 75 percent of users prefer biometrics over traditional passports and boarding passes. Generational differences are apparent, as 48 percent of travelers under 25 favor biometric options, compared to 43 percent among those aged 56-75. Regional adoption varies, with Asia-Pacific leading in mobile app and digital wallet use, while Middle Eastern travelers show enthusiasm for smartphone-based credentials.

Committee Urges New Rules for Facial Recognition as UK Retail Crime Hits Record Levels

The UK House of Lords’ Justice and Home Affairs Committee has recommended new regulations for facial recognition technology following an inquiry into rising retail crime. With shoplifting incidents reaching record levels in March 2024—over 443,000 cases recorded—the committee highlighted the growing sophistication of retail crime, often involving organized networks. The recommendations include establishing regulatory frameworks for private-sector facial recognition use, streamlining crime reporting systems, and boosting rehabilitation funding. Project Pegasus, a collaboration launched in 2023 between police and 12 retail entities, uses facial recognition to identify repeat offenders.

China Launches Network ID Platform as Digital Yuan Expansion Continues

China’s Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) have proposed a Network Identity Authentication Public Service Platform to enhance data security and enforce real-name registration across internet platforms. This system, part of China’s evolving digital identity framework, will issue Network ID Numbers and Certificates that function as digital identification for online use, available to Chinese citizens with valid ID documents. The platform allows internet services to verify users without collecting real-name information directly, reducing data breach risks, but a compromise of the central platform could have extensive consequences. Foreign nationals face limitations, though permanent residents may apply, and minors can access the system under guardian supervision. Concurrently, China’s Digital Yuan program advances, with the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) offering centrally controlled digital cash overseen by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), reflecting the nation’s digital modernization strategy with regulated financial oversight.

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November 7, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala