ID Tech Digest – October 9, 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:

European Commission Proposes Digital Passport App for Schengen Travel

The European Commission has proposed an “EU Digital Travel application” to digitalize passports and identity cards, aiming to modernize border control procedures and improve security and efficiency for travellers entering the Schengen Area. The digital travel credentials will include personal data and facial images, but will exclude fingerprint data. The system will allow travellers to submit credentials and travel plans in advance, reducing wait times at borders. The initiative is distinct from the EU Digital Identity Wallet and emphasizes compliance with data protection standards. The app is expected to be available by 2030.

France to Bring Health Card Into Digital ID App, Forego Biometric Registration

France is set to integrate its health insurance card, the Carte Vitale, into the France Identité app, enabling residents to manage their healthcare documentation digitally by early 2025. The expansion will allow French citizens to access healthcare services via NFC-enabled card readers using their smartphones. The digital Carte Vitale will be legally equivalent to the physical card and offers enhanced convenience for users. Although biometric solutions were considered, high costs led to the decision to use ID-based verification with a four-digit code instead. The current trial phase will be expanded nationwide following usability improvements.

Indonesia Urges on ASEAN Digital Economy Negotiations as DPI Strategizing Intensifies

Indonesia is urging ASEAN members to expedite negotiations on the proposed “Digital Economy Framework Agreement” (DEFA), which includes digital ID infrastructure, aiming for 50 percent completion by the end of 2024. The DEFA, a key initiative from Indonesia’s 2023 chairmanship, seeks to enhance digital cooperation, cross-border e-commerce, and data protection across ASEAN. The agreement’s digital ID and authentication elements could have significant regional impacts. This push comes amid broader strategizing over digital public infrastructure in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia maintaining its neutral geopolitical stance while navigating influences from major partners like China and the U.S.

Ghana Launches Digital ID App Linked to National Biometric Database

Ghana has launched the CitizenApp, a mobile platform designed to streamline public service delivery by integrating with the country’s biometric national ID system, the Ghana Card. The app allows users to authenticate their identity using biometric data such as fingerprints or facial recognition, facilitating secure access to a variety of government services. By consolidating data across departments, the app aims to eliminate redundancies and reduce administrative burdens, supporting both citizens and businesses. The development is expected to drive economic growth and improve Ghana’s global competitiveness. Future expansions will incorporate additional services.

Another Dating App Gets Targeted with a BIPA Class Action Lawsuit

A class action lawsuit has been filed against the dating app Victoria Milan, alleging violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The lawsuit claims that the app collected and stored Illinois users’ facial geometry without proper written consent or providing information on data collection practices, as required under BIPA. The plaintiff seeks damages of $5,000 per intentional violation or $1,000 per negligent violation, along with attorneys’ fees and a jury trial. Victoria Milan has not yet responded to the claims.

Recent BIPA Rulings Chip Away at Insurance Coverage: Analysis

Illinois businesses are facing increasing challenges in securing insurance coverage for lawsuits related to the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), according to an analysis by attorney George Bellas. Recent court decisions, including Westfield Insurance Company v. UCAL Systems, Inc., have narrowed coverage under Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies for BIPA-related claims. These rulings have upheld policy exclusions related to information collection laws, leaving businesses vulnerable to significant financial penalties without insurance coverage. Bellas advises companies to review their policies and consider additional coverage to mitigate risks associated with BIPA violations.

GPT-4 Demonstrates Emergent Facial Recognition Capabilities Without Explicit Training: Study

A recent study has shown that OpenAI’s GPT-4 can perform facial recognition tasks with impressive accuracy, despite not being specifically trained for this purpose. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the Mizani and Idiap Research Institute found that GPT-4 achieved 100 percent accuracy in gender recognition and 95.15 percent accuracy on facial recognition tasks using the Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW) dataset, though it fell short of specialized models like MobileFaceNet, which scored 99.57 percent on the latter dataset. While GPT-4’s emergent capabilities in biometric tasks are notable, the study also highlighted concerns about its susceptibility to false positives and the potential for bypassing built-in safeguards, raising ethical and regulatory issues about the use of AI in biometric data analysis.

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October 9, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala