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 Seeks to Provide ‘Single View of Identity’ with Effectiv Acquisition
Socure has acquired Effectiv, a real-time risk decisioning platform, for $136 million, with the deal closing in November. The acquisition aims to create a unified identity and fraud decision engine, merging Socure’s expertise in identity verification with Effectiv’s capabilities in payment fraud control, KYB, and AML monitoring. The move will enable Socure to extend fraud detection and risk management beyond account onboarding to areas like login authentication and regulatory compliance, enhancing partnerships with over 1,000 banks and 500 fintech firms.
Facial Recognition Nabs Individuals Connected to Serious Crimes in Latest Essex Arrests
Essex Police used Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology to make seven arrests in Southend between October 13 and 21, 2024, apprehending individuals linked to serious crimes including attempted murder. This brings their total LFR-assisted arrests to 25, following earlier deployments at events like the Clacton Airshow. Chief Inspector Dave Browning highlighted the technology’s effectiveness with no false alerts in 17 deployments. LFR matches faces from CCTV with a database of suspects, while ensuring data of unrelated individuals is deleted, raising ongoing debates over privacy and accuracy.
Three in Four Europeans Approve of Police Use of AI: Report
A report from IE University shows that 75 percent of Europeans support using AI, including biometrics, for police and military surveillance, despite strict privacy rules like the GDPR. The “European Tech Insights” survey reveals strong backing for AI in public services, with 79 percent favoring AI for tasks like traffic optimization. However, concerns remain over AI’s role in elections, with 67 percent worried about potential manipulation. Trust in AI varies by age, with younger Europeans showing more openness to AI’s involvement in political decision-making than older generations.
TSA Officially Green-lights Continued Use of mDLs Beyond REAL ID Implementation
The TSA has finalized a rule allowing the continued use of mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) for identity verification at airport security checkpoints and federal buildings beyond the May 7, 2025, REAL ID enforcement date. Effective November 25, 2024, the rule lets states apply for temporary waivers to ensure compliance. The TSA is expanding mDL acceptance, currently available at 27 airports, aiming for nationwide use. This aligns with REAL ID standards while integrating digital identity solutions to enhance security and the passenger experience.
Buenos Aires Pioneers Blockchain-based SSI with QuarkID
Buenos Aires has launched QuarkID, a blockchain-based digital identity system integrated into the miBA mobile app, serving over 3.6 million residents. QuarkID employs zero-knowledge cryptography and the ZKsync Layer 2 blockchain to create decentralized digital identities, aligning with self-sovereign identity (SSI) principles. This system allows individuals to control their credentials, enhancing privacy and security without centralized oversight. The development was in collaboration with Extrimian and follows international standards, gaining recognition as a Digital Public Good by the United Nations for its alignment with Sustainable Development Goals.
Media Editing App Maker Settles BIPA Lawsuit for Nearly $4.5M
Lightricks has settled a class-action lawsuit in Illinois for $4.485 million over alleged violations of the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The suit claimed that Lightricks’ apps collected biometric data without proper consent. Illinois users whose biometric data was collected between September 2017 and November 2024 are eligible for payments up to $60, depending on the number of claims. A final approval hearing is scheduled for January 6, 2025. The settlement follows BIPA’s August 2024 amendment, which limits damages to a single recovery per individual.
–
October 24, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
Follow Us