ID Tech Digest – October 22, 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:

Polish Digital ID Check Startup Raises $8.2M in Series A

Authologic, a Polish digital ID verification startup, has raised $8.2 million in a Series A funding round led by OpenOcean with participation from Peak Capital. Founded in 2020, the company provides a KYC/AML platform that integrates multiple digital IDs via a single API, focusing on verifying government-issued digital IDs without needing physical ID uploads. The platform includes features like behavioral analysis and face matching with liveness checks. Authologic’s clients include Santander Leasing, e-Toro, and LV Bet.

NIST Director to Depart Role at Year’s End

Laurie Locascio will step down as Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at the end of 2024 to become CEO of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in January 2025. Locascio, a biomedical engineer and analytical chemist, has held leadership roles at NIST for 31 years and was appointed by President Biden in 2021. At ANSI, she will oversee the promotion of voluntary consensus standards, representing the U.S. internationally. Locascio will continue leading NIST’s AI and CHIPS for America initiatives until her departure.

White House Proposes Rules to Limit Transfer of Biometric Data to Adversary Nations

The Biden administration has proposed new regulations to restrict the transfer of sensitive data, including biometric and genomic information, to adversarial nations like China and Russia. The rules aim to prevent data brokers from selling this data to foreign actors, particularly in light of growing national security concerns. Stricter limits are proposed for the volume of biometric data that can be transferred, with enhanced cybersecurity measures required for compliance. Companies failing to adhere to these regulations could face penalties, marking a significant shift in safeguarding U.S. data from foreign exploitation.

Israel Mulls Biometrically-Secured ‘Humanitarian Bubbles’ for Gaza Aid

The Israeli government is considering a proposal by Global Delivery Company (GDC) to establish “humanitarian bubbles” in Gaza, secured by biometric identification systems. These zones would allow only verified residents to access aid, preventing unauthorized groups, including Hamas, from exploiting the distribution. GDC’s plan involves biometric checkpoints managed by the company, which has experience in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Ukraine. The project, pending government approval, aims to prevent aid diversion and ensure supplies reach the intended recipients, although GDC may still need to secure the necessary biometric technology.

Meta Brings Back Facial Recognition to Combat ‘Celeb-Bait’ Scams

Meta is reintroducing facial recognition technology on Facebook and Instagram to address ‘celeb-bait’ scams involving AI-generated celebrity images. Starting December 2024, flagged ads will be compared against a database of public figure images, and if a match confirms a scam, the ad will be blocked. Public figures can opt out, and any biometric data collected will be deleted after processing. This marks a shift from Meta’s 2021 decision to discontinue the technology due to privacy concerns, but it excludes regions with strict biometric laws like the EU, Texas, and Illinois.

Google’s Find My Device App Gets Biometric Login

Google has updated its Find My Device app to include biometric authentication, allowing users to log in using fingerprints, facial recognition, or PIN, instead of a Google account password. This update, in version 3.1.173-1, enhances security by eliminating the “Don’t ask again” option, ensuring authentication is required each time the app is accessed. The new feature aims to improve both convenience and security, especially for tracking and protecting connected devices. This update follows Google’s recent Android 15 security upgrades, including passkey integration and AI-powered theft protection.

EU Launches ‘Gait Recognition’ Pilot to Enhance Border Security

The European Union has initiated the PopEye Project, a pilot program testing biometric gait recognition technology to enhance border security. Funded by a €3.2 million grant from Horizon Europe, the project focuses on identifying individuals based on their unique walking styles, offering a non-intrusive method for monitoring people in motion. Gait recognition is combined with other biometrics, such as 3D facial recognition, to improve accuracy. Developed in partnership with research institutions and border authorities from Finland and Romania, the project aims to ensure compliance with EU privacy regulations like the AI Act and GDPR.

Nametag Adds Deepfake Detection to Identity Verification Platform

Nametag has introduced “Deepfake Defense,” a feature designed to detect and block deepfake attacks using AI technologies, announced at the Oktane conference hosted by Okta. This defense integrates with Okta’s identity management system and uses cryptographic attestation from Apple and Google to verify data authenticity. It also includes adaptive document verification and a “Spatial Selfie” feature that combines biometric and sensor data to create a 3D image, verifying a user’s likeness against a 2D ID. The solution aims to protect against increasing AI-driven fraud threats, such as deepfakes.

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October 22, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis