ID Tech Digest – October 21, 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:

‘The Community Moved On’: Sovrin Announces MainNet’s ‘Likely Shutdown’

The Sovrin Foundation has announced plans to shut down its decentralized identity platform, the Sovrin Network, by March 31, 2025, citing declining MainNet usage, regulatory uncertainty, technical issues, and a lack of involvement from its Steward community. The Foundation also faces a $2 million debt, exacerbating operational difficulties. Launched in 2017, Sovrin was a pioneering platform for self-sovereign identity (SSI), using decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and anonymous credentials. Despite Sovrin’s contribution to establishing key SSI principles, new vendor support for the network has halted.

FIDO Updates Draft Specifications for Cross-Platform Passkey Exchange

The FIDO Alliance has released updated drafts of its specifications for secure cross-platform credential exchange, which aim to facilitate the transfer of passkeys and digital credentials between devices. The updated Credential Exchange Protocol (CXP) defines the process for transferring credentials securely between providers, supporting both online and offline exchanges through Diffie-Hellman cryptography. The Credential Exchange Format (CXF) specifies how credentials, such as passkeys and TOTP codes, are stored in encrypted JSON Web Encryption (JWE) files. These specifications remain in draft form, with the FIDO Alliance seeking community feedback before finalization.

GAO Report Seems a Little Late in Flagging Login.gov Issues

A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report criticizes the Login.gov Single Sign-On system for failing to meet NIST Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) standards, specifically its lack of biometric identity proofing and technical issues such as high registration failure rates. However, Login.gov has in fact just implemented selfie-based biometric authentication, allowing compliance with IAL2 standards. Hanna Kim, Login.gov’s Director, confirmed that the platform has achieved certification from an independent auditor, and efforts are underway to rebuild trust with partner agencies through transparency initiatives and modernization funds. It seems to be a case of awkward timing.

DHS Extends RFI Deadline for Biometric Identity Research and Development Project

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the submission deadline for its Biometric Identity Research and Development (BIRD) Request for Information (RFI) to October 25, 2024, allowing more time for academia, industry professionals, and vendors to propose advanced biometric solutions. The BIRD RFI seeks input on various technologies, including contactless biometric capture, latent fingerprint matching, facial recognition, DNA phenotyping, and biometric fusion, to support the development of DHS’s Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART) system. HART will replace the current IDENT system, leveraging a cloud-based, microservice architecture for enhanced scalability and security. DHS also seeks contributions to biometric standards development and prototype engineering.

European Broadcasting Union Offers Facial Recognition Tool Through New ‘AI Hub’

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has launched an AI Hub, featuring a facial recognition system tailored for television content. Developed with Rai, RTS, the BBC, and France Télévisions, the system identifies key participants in TV programs, such as political figures, while excluding background characters, aiding broadcasters in content indexing and archival. Designed with privacy in mind, the system complies with GDPR by focusing only on active participants. The tool, built on a unique dataset from media partners, is meant to enhance media production and accessibility. The AI Hub also includes projects for fake news detection and metadata enhancement, fostering innovation while maintaining ethical standards.

Smart Ring Integrates World ID for Biometric Digital Identity

CUDIS, a blockchain-based smart ring startup, has integrated the World App to enable biometric identity verification through World ID, which uses iris scans to confirm a person’s uniqueness. The smart ring, connected to decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), tracks users’ health data and rewards interactions, such as engaging with an AI fitness coach. World ID, part of the World Network, ensures secure digital identity without compromising privacy by storing data onchain via the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). CUDIS is also launching a limited edition ring for World ID holders, offering enhanced data security through encryption with private keys.

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October 21, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis

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Partners

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