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:
Amid Stabilizing Market Conditions, Advent Looks to Seal a Deal for Idemia’s Identity Business
Advent International is in exclusive negotiations to sell Idemia’s European identity authentication unit, Idemia Smart Identity, to IN Groupe, a government-owned Paris-based company. While financial details have not been disclosed, earlier reports estimated the value of the Idemia unit at up to €1 billion ($1.1 billion). The sale is expected to close next year, subject to regulatory approvals and consultations with employee representatives. IN Groupe, a long-standing partner of the French government, specializes in biometric-enabled solutions for passports, ID cards, and authentication systems.
New RFI Runs the Gamut of Biometric Tech as DHS Seeks Help with HART
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for its Biometric Identity Research and Development (BIRD) initiative. The RFI seeks input from academia, industry, and the scientific community to support the Office of Biometric Identity Management’s (OBIM) biometric technology needs. Vendors are invited to provide expertise in biometric areas such as fingerprint matching, facial recognition, and iris recognition, as well as emerging fields like quantum computing and deep neural networks. DHS is also focused on next-generation identity prototype development, biometric standards support, and the Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART) system, which will replace the IDENT system. The deadline for responses is October 18, 2024, with the NAICS code 541611, covering management consulting services.
California Brings Mobile ID to the iPhone
California has officially launched a digital driver’s license and state ID option for iPhone and Apple Watch users, allowing participants in a pilot program to add their official identification to Apple Wallet. The rollout follows a similar move with Google Wallet and involves over 650,000 participants. The digital IDs are currently accepted at Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport but are not yet recognized by law enforcement or most businesses, with a few exceptions. Apple emphasized the privacy safeguards, stating that the state only accesses necessary information for ID activation, while all data remains encrypted on the user’s device. The issuance platform was developed by SpruceID, and the registration process involves selfie-based facial recognition for identity verification.
Sindh Further Extends Use of Biometrics with Hospital Attendance Tracking System
Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho has announced the rollout of biometric systems across all hospitals in the province to address chronic staff absenteeism. The facial recognition-based technology aims to improve attendance and accountability among healthcare workers, particularly in rural and underserved areas, enhancing the efficiency of Sindh’s healthcare facilities. The initiative aligns with the province’s growing adoption of biometric solutions, such as in vehicle registration, to ensure greater transparency and identity verification. Alongside biometric attendance tracking, the minister highlighted other healthcare reforms.
cheqd and Dock Merge Networks to Push Adoption of Decentralized Identity
Decentralized identity infrastructure companies cheqd and Dock have announced the merger of their networks to accelerate the adoption of decentralized identity (DID) systems. The partnership involves migrating Dock’s client base and Certs platform to cheqd’s network, giving customers access to a wider range of DID technologies, including cheqd’s Creds and Dock’s blockchain-based identity ecosystems for KYC, biometric security, and background checks. The merger includes a token swap, where Dock’s DOCK tokens will convert to cheqd’s CHEQ tokens, facilitating seamless integration between the two networks. Together, the companies aim to provide a comprehensive DID solution for industries like financial services and government identity programs, offering multi-SDK integration and open-source tools.
AUB Becomes First Philippines Bank to Integrate eVerify Digital ID System
Asia United Bank (AUB) is set to become the first bank in the Philippines to fully integrate the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) eVerify system into its branch banking services. The move will allow customers who are registered with the national ID system to open accounts and conduct transactions without the need for physical identification cards. The PSA’s eVerify system uses facial recognition technology and real-time data verification, allowing for seamless identity checks using only a person’s face, which can be verified through QR codes on digital or physical national IDs. AUB, which has already used eVerify for its e-wallet service HelloMoney, aims to extend this to in-branch banking for more secure and convenient customer experiences. The system will also help streamline over-the-counter transactions like cash withdrawals, enhancing security and preventing identity fraud.
Google Beefs Up Biometric Security on Android, Syncs Passkeys Across Platforms
Google Chrome is enhancing its password management system on Android by introducing biometric security for auto-filling passwords. The feature requires users to verify their identity through methods like fingerprint scans before their passwords are automatically filled, adding an extra layer of protection, particularly in untrusted environments such as public Wi-Fi. The feature is currently being tested in Chrome Canary and aims for a broader rollout. In addition to this, Google has improved passkey synchronization across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, allowing seamless login with biometrics or PINs without needing to scan QR codes. Chrome OS support is in beta, and iOS integration is planned for the future. To bolster passkey security, users can set a PIN for encryption, ensuring that even Google cannot access the data.
Worldcoin Looks to Bolster World ID Security with Facial Recognition
Worldcoin has introduced a new face authentication feature for its World ID users, enhancing security by comparing users’ selfies with images captured by its biometric device, the Orb. This adds a layer of protection beyond its iris recognition system. The face authentication data is stored locally on users’ devices to maintain privacy, while offering more accurate verification compared to similar technologies like Apple’s Face ID. The launch reflects Worldcoin’s efforts to create secure digital identities amidst rising deepfake concerns. The announcement appears to have boosted the value of Worldcoin’s token, WLD.
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September 20, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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