ID Tech Digest – September 17, 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:

DoD’s Upgraded ABIS Adds Voice Biometrics

The Department of Defense (DoD) has completed the migration of its Automated Biometrics Identification System (ABIS) to the cloud, enhancing its speed and capabilities. ABIS is crucial for identifying adversaries using biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, and now supports a fifth biometric modality: voice. The migration, executed in nine phases, allowed for a smoother transition by minimizing system disruption and addressing technical challenges. The cloud-based system accelerates data processing and eliminates the need for physical servers, supporting broader military initiatives like Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) for improved data integration and decision-making.

Pakistan’s Sindh Province Mandates Biometric Vehicle Registration

The Sindh government in Pakistan has implemented a new policy requiring biometric verification for vehicle registrations and transfers to enhance transparency and prevent fraud. Led by Sindh Excise Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, the policy will be rolled out in three phases, starting with new vehicle registrations and later extending to both buyers and sellers during vehicle transfers. Citizens can complete verification at NADRA centers or excise offices. The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s broader adoption of biometric technologies across various sectors, including banking, mobile registration, and welfare distribution.

Alaska Awards Thales Contract for Next-Gen Driver’s License and ID Cards

The State of Alaska has awarded Thales a 10-year contract to produce its next generation of secure driver’s licenses and ID cards, continuing a partnership that issues approximately 225,000 credentials annually. The new cards will feature polycarbonate technology, including Thales’ Window Lock system, which embeds a secondary portrait visible when held up to light, significantly enhancing counterfeit protection. Additionally, Thales’ Cogent Multi Biometric System will verify biometric data during the citizen enrollment process, helping to prevent identity fraud and identity theft. This initiative aligns with Alaska’s goal of fortifying identity security while improving service delivery. The new driver’s licenses and ID cards are designed to be tamper-resistant, visually distinctive, and will be available at all Alaska DMV locations by fall 2024.

Russia Expands Biometric Fare Payment System Beyond Moscow Metro

Russia is expanding its facial recognition payment system, Face Pay, to subways in cities like Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod, with plans to implement it nationwide by 2025. The system, first introduced in Moscow in 2021, allows passengers to pay for rides using facial recognition technology. While officials claim it improves security and convenience, critics are concerned about its potential misuse for surveillance, particularly in monitoring protesters and journalists. Despite assurances that biometric data is kept separate from personal information, privacy and security concerns persist, as Russia lacks federal laws specifically regulating the use of biometric data. Human rights advocates and organizations like the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have raised alarms about the risks to privacy and civil liberties posed by such systems.

France, Germany, Netherlands Won’t Meet November EES Deadline: Report

Officials from France, Germany, and the Netherlands have informed European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson that they will not meet the mid-November deadline for the European Union’s biometric Entry-Exit System (EES), according to reports. The EES is an automated border control system aimed at enhancing security for non-EU travelers entering and exiting the Schengen Area by collecting biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images. Despite Johansson’s recent assertion that the system would go live on November 10, these countries raised concerns about insufficient field testing, indicating another potential delay.

CBP Plans ‘Northern Border’ Pilot of Biometric Tech

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to launch a new pilot of biometric technology at a northern border port of entry by the end of the year, following a recent trial at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. The initiative, as outlined by Diane Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of Field Operations, aims to develop seamless, touchless identification systems for global entry members, streamlining the traveler screening process. Speaking at Identity Week America, Sabatino emphasized collaboration between government and private sector organizations to establish biometric standards, which will enable on-the-move photo capture systems at airports and checkpoints.

Canada’s Conservative Party Proposes ‘Trustworthy’ Age Assurance Tech to Protect Minors Online

The Conservative Party of Canada has proposed a new online harms bill, led by MP Michelle Rempel Garner, which aims to counter the Liberal government’s current digital legislation, particularly Bill C-63. The Conservative bill seeks to prohibit the use of digital IDs for internet access, advocating instead for privacy-preserving, trustworthy technologies for age verification to protect minors online. Rempel Garner stresses the importance of safeguarding civil liberties and preventing the creation of a “government-managed surveillance state,” while still addressing harmful online behaviors such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and deepfake content. The Conservative proposal contrasts with the Liberal approach, which includes establishing a Digital Safety Commission to police internet content, raising concerns about free speech and overreach.

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September 17, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala