ID Tech Digest – October 2, 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:

Socure Teams with Dock on AI-secured Decentralized Identity

Socure and Dock have partnered to enhance digital identity solutions by combining Socure’s AI-driven identity verification (IDV) capabilities with Dock’s decentralized identity infrastructure. Socure is known for its selfie-based IDV platform, facial recognition with liveness detection, device intelligence, and deepfake detection, providing a comprehensive approach to identity verification. Dock specializes in a Reusable Digital Identity platform that includes a digital identity wallet, blockchain-based credential registry, and tools for credential issuance. The partnership aims to create a flexible, secure, consumer-centric identity solution by integrating Socure’s analytics with Dock’s decentralized system.

Proposed ‘Improving Digital Identity Act’ Would Establish White House Task Force on Digital ID

The Improving Digital Identity Act, led by Rep. Bill Foster, aims to establish a federal role in developing digital identity standards, with a proposed task force within the Executive Office of the President. The bill seeks to promote secure digital versions of existing credentials to enhance access and security, reducing fraud and identity theft risks. Foster also introduced legislation with Rep. Clay Higgins requiring the TSA to report on the use of digital IDs for homeland security. The proposed federal framework is supported by financial institutions eager for standardized Know Your Customer (KYC) solutions, with Foster emphasizing the need to address threats like deepfake technologies. While the bill has garnered support, progress has been slow, though Foster remains optimistic about its inclusion in upcoming recommendations from the House AI Task Force.

Privacy-focused Dutch Facial Recognition Startup Raises €1.3M

Dutch startup 20Face has secured €1.3 million in new funding to advance its privacy-first facial recognition technology and expand into new markets. Founded in 2017 as a spin-off from the University of Twente, 20Face uses AI and computer vision to create encrypted codes from facial photos, prioritizing privacy by ensuring personal data cannot be traced back to individuals. The technology complies with European privacy laws, allowing users to control consent for recognition. 20Face’s software is already in use in business centers, healthcare, and recreational facilities. The investment, led by Twinning Participaties along with Value Creation Capital and OostNL, will support strategic partnerships and further adoption, meeting growing demand for secure, privacy-focused access control systems.

New Fan Service Integrations Bolster Case for Wicket’s Biometric Tech

Wicket has expanded its biometric fan recognition system in partnership with the Cleveland Browns and Aramark, integrating face-based stadium access and payment options into more checkout kiosks at Huntington Bank Field. Fans enrolled in Wicket’s Express Access system can now link payment information to their profiles, enabling quick, cardless purchases of food and drinks, including alcohol, with identity verification. Early data from the expansion shows 11 percent of transactions on September 8 were biometric, increasing to 24 percent before kickoff. Sixty-five percent of ticketing system enrollees also registered for payments, and 30 percent made repeat purchases, indicating strong adoption. Wicket’s technology, which previously demonstrated significant time savings and reduced operational costs, has also been selected for Major League Soccer’s MLS Innovation Lab, offering further opportunities to enhance the fan experience.

AuthenticID’s New Velocity Checks Put the Brakes on High-Frequency Fraud

Seattle-based AuthenticID has introduced Velocity Checks, a new feature aimed at enhancing the detection of high-frequency fraud attempts by integrating with its existing identity verification platform. Velocity Checks leverages biometric and document analysis to detect instances where fraudsters use the same headshot across different identity documents or registrations. The system uses image comparison algorithms to flag fraudulent patterns in real-time, helping organizations prevent losses before they occur. Additionally, it segments potentially fraudulent transactions for analysts to review and allows the analysis of trends to identify emerging fraud patterns. AuthenticID plans to further develop the solution with new algorithms to address evolving fraud tactics, ensuring adaptability and compliance with regulatory requirements.

New Provincial Policing Head Poised to Extend Use of Facial Recognition in Philippines

Col. Rollyfer Capoquian, the new head of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), plans to expand the integration of artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology in crime prevention and investigation across Pangasinan. Currently, AI-based suspect identification is available at only one station in the province, but Capoquian aims to broaden its use. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize crime-fighting tools in the region, shifting from traditional cartographic sketches to more advanced methods. Capoquian also intends to enhance police visibility and collaborate with other government agencies for joint inspections and checkpoints.

47,000 Kuwaitis Miss Biometric Registration Deadline

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior reported that 47,445 citizens missed the biometric fingerprinting deadline on September 30, leading to around 35,000 bank customers receiving notifications about suspended banking transactions due to incomplete biometric requirements linked to their civil IDs. To regain access, customers must complete their biometric registration at the Personal Investigation Departments. A discrepancy between affected bank customers and Ministry figures suggests that not all citizens have active bank accounts, and some received multiple warnings. The biometric initiative aims to build a comprehensive database of residents and visitors to enhance security, prevent passport forgery, and eliminate double citizenship, with authorities already using it to apprehend wanted individuals.

Zimbabwe City Gets AI Security Upgrade

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, has launched a new security initiative featuring AI-powered CCTV cameras to enhance public safety as part of its Smart City policing program. The project, a collaboration between local police, the Bulawayo Business Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe (BACFOZ), and security agency Safeguard, aims to reduce reliance on physical police presence. Cameras with facial recognition, night vision, and vehicle plate reading capabilities have been installed across the central business district to improve crime monitoring and response efficiency. The AI-powered Face Trace System will assist with biometric identification, streamlining policing tasks. The initiative also plans for smart call centers to ensure swift emergency responses.

—

October 2, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala