ID Tech Digest – October 11, 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:

Mets Owner Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Under NYC Biometrics Law

The New York Mets organization is facing a class-action lawsuit filed by Chris Dowling, alleging violations of New York City’s Biometric Identifier Information Law. The lawsuit claims that Sterling Mets, the owner of the team and CitiField, uses facial recognition technology to collect biometric data from fans without their consent and profits from it, violating the city’s 2021 biometrics privacy law. The law mandates that commercial establishments must display clear signage informing customers of biometric data collection and prohibits profiting from such data. The class action, representing over 100,000 individuals, seeks damages of up to $5,000 per violation, along with attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief. Sterling Mets has moved the case to federal court but has not yet responded to the allegations.

After New Hearing, Judge ‘Fears’ BIPA Case Against Google Will Have to Proceed

A class-action lawsuit against Google, filed by Illinois resident Steven Vance, alleging violations of the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) for the unauthorized collection of facial recognition data, is likely to advance after surviving a third motion to dismiss. The lawsuit claims that Google used images sourced from IBM’s dataset, which included photos from Illinois residents, without obtaining their consent, in violation of BIPA. During a recent hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Beth Labson Freeman indicated that she is likely to allow the case to move forward, citing concerns about Google’s potential violation of Illinois law despite being a California-based company. The case remains under judicial review, with the judge cautioning that this could be the plaintiffs’ final opportunity to demonstrate a substantial connection to Illinois.

Thales, Badge Team Up to Secure IAM with Shared Devices

Thales has partnered with Badge to enhance cybersecurity solutions for industries using shared devices, such as healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. This collaboration integrates Badge’s passwordless authentication technology into the Thales OneWelcome Identity Platform, enabling secure and seamless access without the need for traditional passwords. Badge’s technology uses cryptographic methods derived from biometric data, eliminating the storage of personal information and aligning with the privacy expectations revealed by Thales’ Consumer Digital Trust Index.

DoD Mulls Expedited Acquisition Process for AI Tech

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is considering the creation of a specialized acquisition pathway to expedite the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Young Bang, the Army’s principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition, logistics, and technology, emphasized that the current software acquisition process is too slow for AI’s rapid development cycles. The current pathway, which mandates delivering a minimum viable capability release within a year, is seen as restrictive for AI, which can evolve much faster. To address this, the DoD is exploring a new, AI-specific pathway that could combine elements of existing acquisition processes, allowing for accelerated AI development timelines.

Another U.S. County Deploys Clearview AI’s Face Search Tech

The Hays County Sheriff’s Department in Texas has adopted Clearview AI’s facial recognition technology, which assists in identifying suspects and victims from images and recorded video. Since its approval in December 2023, the software has been used in about 120 cases, with law enforcement emphasizing that it serves only as a tool to generate leads and is not used for real-time surveillance or as sole evidence for arrests. Clearview AI has faced controversy over its collection methods, as it scraped over 40 billion images from public websites, raising privacy concerns. The department asserts that strict protocols and safeguards are in place to ensure responsible usage in compliance with state and federal laws.

Namibia Joins Biometric Pensioner Verification Trend

Namibia’s Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has launched a biometric verification system, including a mobile app and handheld devices, to simplify pensioner verification processes. The system enables pensioners, child beneficiaries, and spousal annuitants to verify their identity from regional offices or their homes, addressing logistical challenges posed by frequent travel to GIPF offices. The initiative follows a broader trend across Africa, where countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa have implemented biometric systems to prevent fraud and improve payment accuracy for pensioners. These systems use technologies like fingerprint and facial recognition for verification, aiming to streamline processes and enhance convenience for beneficiaries, especially in rural areas.

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October 11, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala