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:
FBI Issues RFI for Clearview-type Tech
The FBI has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking details about open-source facial recognition (FR) technology for potential future acquisitions. The Bureau is particularly interested in Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms that enable facial image searches against open-source databases, similar to technologies like Clearview AI and PimEyes. The RFI aims to explore tools that can generate investigative leads from publicly available images found on social media, the dark web, and other online sources, offering a way to complement traditional government databases. Vendors are asked to provide information about their facial recognition tools, including data sources, algorithm accuracy, operational capabilities, pricing models, and the security of their data storage and privacy practices. The FBI is especially interested in solutions that can encode facial images within the client’s system before submission.
DHS Biometrics Expert to Deliver Keynote at Homeland Security Summit
Lisa MacDonald, a leading biometrics expert from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is set to deliver a keynote speech at the 2024 Homeland Security Summit, organized by the Potomac Officers Club. Scheduled for November 13, the event will bring together public and private sector leaders to address key homeland security challenges. MacDonald heads the Identity Capabilities Management Division (ICMD) within DHS’s Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), and will discuss DHS’s biometrics initiatives, focusing on modernizing systems and enhancing interoperability. The ICMD oversees the strategic, operational, and policy aspects of biometric technologies across DHS, supporting initiatives like the biometric entry-exit system and partnerships with agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Travelers Show Interest in DTCs as Comfort with Biometrics Dips in SITA Report
SITA’s “2024 Passenger IT Insights” report highlights a growing reliance on digital technologies, such as digital travel credentials (DTCs) and biometrics, to enhance travel experiences. With 90 percent of travelers using technology for booking, many are open to digital identity solutions. Seventy-five percent are comfortable storing their passports on mobile devices and 73 percent are willing to share biometrics pre-travel. Younger travelers, especially those aged 18-44, are more enthusiastic, with over 90 percent finding DTCs useful. Despite this, privacy and security concerns have led to a dip in overall comfort with biometrics, with travelers citing fears of data misuse, identity theft, and privacy breaches. As biometric comfort scores dropped from 7.4 to 6.7 (out of 10), industry stakeholders are encouraged to focus on educating passengers about the security of these systems to drive broader acceptance.
Verizon Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Unlawful Collection of Voiceprints
Verizon Wireless is facing a class action lawsuit in Illinois federal court for allegedly violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting and storing customers’ voiceprints through its Voice ID feature without obtaining proper consent. Plaintiffs Thelton George Parker Jr. and Steven Doyle claim that Verizon failed to inform customers about the collection of their biometric data, did not disclose the specific purpose or duration of its use, and did not obtain written consent as required under BIPA. The law mandates clear disclosures and consent before collecting biometric information due to the sensitive nature of such data. The lawsuit seeks relief for all Illinois residents affected by the alleged unlawful collection of voiceprints.
Singapore Mandates Selfie Check for High-Risk Bank Transactions
Singapore has mandated the use of facial recognition technology for high-risk banking transactions to combat the rising tide of scams targeting financial institutions. Over the next three months, retail banks will implement Singpass Face Verification to enhance the setup of digital tokens, according to a joint statement from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS). The facial verification process will be triggered during higher-risk scenarios, adding an additional layer of security to prevent account takeovers via phishing tactics. Customers will use face scans to authenticate their identity against national records before activating digital tokens. Those without a Singpass account must register and download the app for this new authentication method.
Major Irish Bank Turns to Selfie Biometrics for High-value Mobile Transactions
Allied Irish Banks (AIB) has introduced “Selfie Check,” a new facial recognition feature within its mobile banking app, allowing customers to authenticate high-value payments of up to €10,000 without a physical card reader. The system aims to enhance convenience for users by simplifying larger transactions through biometric verification. Customers are advised to take their selfies in well-lit areas, ensuring their faces are unobstructed for accurate identification. The service is available to AIB customers aged 16 and above in the Republic of Ireland, although traditional card readers may still be needed for certain transactions.
Veridos and Credence ID Launch All-in-One Solution for Digital and Physical ID Verification
Veridos and Credence ID have introduced the VeriCHECK M500+, an all-in-one solution for verifying both digital and physical identification documents. Designed to meet the increasing demand for seamless ID verification as mobile credentials like mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) gain popularity, the device integrates Veridos’s established physical credential reader—used by the U.S. TSA in over 220 airports—with Credence ID’s Tap2iD platform for digital verification. The M500+ supports authentication via NFC and QR code technologies, adhering to ISO mDL/mID standards, and is compatible with digital wallets from Apple, Google, and Android. It operates both online and offline, offering plug-and-play functionality, remote management, and instant on-screen verification results. The hybrid solution is aimed at government and commercial clients, providing a versatile tool for verifying IDs in various environments.
IBIA Appoints Leidos’ Michael Bruce to Board of Directors
The International Biometrics + Identity Association (IBIA) has appointed Michael Bruce, Vice President and Division Manager for Homeland Solutions at Leidos, to its Board of Directors. Bruce brings over 20 years of experience in business leadership, particularly in digital modernization and security solutions for U.S. federal agencies, including the DHS and the TSA. His expertise in homeland security and technology is seen as a valuable asset to IBIA as it continues to advocate for the responsible use of biometric and identity technologies. Bruce expressed enthusiasm for his new role, emphasizing the growing influence of biometrics in everyday life, such as airport security and password alternatives like facial and fingerprint recognition. His appointment follows recent leadership changes at IBIA, including the election of Neville Pattinson of Thales Group as Board Chair and the addition of Intesh Singh from Hitachi Digital Services.
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September 23, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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