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:
Further EES Delays ‘Cannot Be Completely Excluded’: European Commission
The European Union’s planned biometric Entry-Exit System (EES) may face further delays due to implementation challenges. Officials from Germany, France, and the Netherlands have expressed concerns about the readiness of the infrastructure, particularly regarding the stability of eu-LISA’s central computer system and the need for additional field testing. The European Commission has acknowledged the complexity of the system and admitted that delays “cannot be completely excluded.” The EES, intended to manage irregular migration and track visa-exempt and visa-required non-EU nationals in the Schengen Area, has already faced multiple delays from its original 2022 launch date.
Quad Should Push DPI to Counter Undemocratic Influence: Carnegie
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has called on the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) to promote Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the Indo-Pacific to counter undemocratic influence. The authors argue that DPI can provide countries with a cost-effective digital transformation solution that preserves data sovereignty, unlike cheaper alternatives from undemocratic states that pose risks of external control. They recommend that the Quad discuss DPI governance, shortlist countries for DPI adoption, and create a task force to integrate DPI with broader infrastructure projects. The note also highlights digital ID systems as a crucial component of DPI, improving public service delivery and reducing identity fraud, which could help smaller nations advance their technological infrastructure.
Belize Police May Seek New Facial Recognition Vendor Over Data-sharing Issue
The Belize Police Department may seek a new facial recognition vendor due to concerns about data handling with Biometrica, a Nevada-based firm. Police Commissioner Chester Williams stated that their agreement is currently “on hold” because Biometrica’s system may require sending sensitive criminal database information to the company rather than storing it locally. The Commissioner indicated that if Biometrica cannot address this concern, they will consider alternative vendors offering facial recognition software without requiring data-sharing. Biometrica’s technology includes facial recognition features central to its biometric platform, which has been used for various security, surveillance, and missing persons initiatives.
Malaysia’s Digital ID Becomes Mandatory for Driver Services
Starting October 10, 2024, the Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ) will require users to log into the MyJPJ app using MyDigital ID, a system that leverages biometric data, including facial recognition, for secure access to digital government services. MyDigital ID replaces the JPJeID login for the MyJPJ app, making JPJ the first agency in Malaysia to fully adopt this digital ID for mobile services. The move is part of Malaysia’s broader digital transformation under the MyDIGITAL initiative, aimed at enhancing access to online services while maintaining data security. The phased rollout of MyDigital ID targets various groups, with integration efforts extending to the financial sector.
Trinidad and Tobago to Implement e-Passports, Digital Travel Forms
Trinidad and Tobago will soon transition to e-passports, incorporating biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition to enhance security against forgery and streamline identity verification. Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced that e-passports will enable faster processing at airports through automated border control gates, reducing wait times. The government also plans to implement digital embarking and disembarking forms by 2025, replacing physical forms and ensuring compliance with data protection standards.
Mastercard Upgrades ‘Identity Check’ Security for South Africans
Mastercard has upgraded its Identity Check program to enhance online transaction security for South African cardholders, integrating the 3-D Secure 2.0 protocol. The enhanced system uses artificial intelligence for risk-based authentication and biometric methods like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning to counter rising card not present (CNP) fraud, which accounted for 76.9 percent of gross fraud losses in South Africa in 2022. For high-risk transactions, biometric verification will replace traditional methods, while low-risk transactions will be authenticated seamlessly. Authentication services provider Entersekt is collaborating with Mastercard to ensure regulatory compliance and manage transaction risk profiles, aiming to improve security and reduce friction in online shopping experiences.
Biometrics to Play Key Role in South Africa Home Affairs Digital Upgrade
The South African Department of Home Affairs has launched the “Home Affairs @ Home” initiative, aiming to transition to a fully digital-first department by 2029, eliminating in-person visits for services like ID, passport, and electronic travel authorization applications. The platform will employ biometric technology for secure identity verification and to detect forged documents, with an automated system processing applications and human intervention only in case of anomalies. Travelers will submit biometrics for instant verification, replacing paper visas with digital codes. Partnerships with banks and retailers will expand access to services without new physical offices.
Acuity Previews Government-focused Biometric Identity Report
Acuity Market Intelligence has released a preview of its upcoming “Biometric Digital Identity Government Services Prism Report,” focusing on the role of government services in establishing and validating citizen identities within the biometric digital identity landscape. The report discusses how technologies like mobile biometrics, liveness detection, document validation, and trusted government records can be integrated to create a digital citizen identity that functions across both physical and digital spaces. It also highlights the need for interoperability of government-issued digital IDs across jurisdictions and devices. The report includes analysis on the challenges faced by government services, case studies, and vendor evaluations, emphasizing the use of biometric identity solutions in areas such as civil ID, passports, immigration, and law enforcement.
JP Morgan VP Maps mDL Growth Around Digital Trust Service
Ashok Singal, a senior executive at JP Morgan Chase, has emphasized the growing significance of mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) in a recent blog post. He highlighted that the true potential of mDLs lies in their ability to operate seamlessly across borders, facilitated by the Digital Trust Service (DTS). DTS acts as a compatibility layer for mDLs compliant with the ISO 18013-5 standard, ensuring secure and real-time verification between countries. Singal provided examples of how DTS enables travelers to verify their mDLs abroad securely, using digitally signed data for identity checks. The use of selective disclosure allows users to share only necessary information, enhancing privacy.
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October 1, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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