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:
DHS Unlocks $279.9M for FY24 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released $279.9 million for the Fiscal Year 2024 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). The program aims to strengthen the cybersecurity of state, local, and territorial governments across the United States. While the announcement does not specifically mention biometric technology, the grants can support the implementation of stronger authentication measures, such as multi-factor authentication and identity and access management systems. Administered by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the program assists communities in enhancing their resilience against cyber threats. Eligible entities have until December 3, 2024, to apply for the funds through FEMA GO.
ITIF Pushes for Digital ID Over Age Estimation in Comments on EU’s Digital Services Act
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) submitted comments to the European Commission on the Digital Services Act’s guidelines for protecting minors online. ITIF supports using digital IDs for online age verification, highlighting their security and privacy benefits. The foundation both noted the technological advancement of biometric age estimation methods and expressed concern about them, noting their potential inaccuracies and privacy risks. ITIF also proposed a “trustworthy child flag” to allow parental control without invasive verification. Additionally, ITIF emphasized the importance of maintaining strong encryption to protect vulnerable individuals.
‘Leading U.S.-based Social Media Company’ Tests Zwipe Access Card
Zwipe has announced that a leading U.S.-based social media and IT company is testing its Zwipe Access biometric cards. The testing aims to enhance security measures across the company’s global facilities. Zwipe Access is a fingerprint-enabled dual-authentication solution designed for access control. All fingerprint capture, extraction, and comparison occur entirely on the card, ensuring biometric data never leaves it. The approach enhances data privacy and reduces the risk of security breaches without requiring extensive hardware upgrades. Earlier this year, Zwipe partnered with Plasticard – ZFT to distribute its biometric access cards in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
China Intensifies Biometric Surveillance to Crack Down on North Korean Defectors
China is intensifying biometric surveillance along its northeastern border to identify and deport North Korean defectors. Measures include deploying hundreds of facial recognition cameras and increasing boat patrols along the 1,400-kilometer border. Authorities are collecting fingerprints, voice samples, and facial data of North Koreans residing in China. New deportation centers have been established in border cities like Dandong and Tumen. Budget documents reveal increased funding for border security upgrades, including surveillance systems using deep learning to enhance facial recognition capabilities. Defectors report heightened fear due to widespread facial recognition technology, making movement within China more perilous.
Vision-Box Extends e-Gate Deployments in Indonesia to 150
Vision-Box, in partnership with Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration and Sinergi Teknoglobal Perkasa, has deployed over 150 biometric e-gates at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. The initiative began in 2023 with 78 Automated Border Control Seamless Gates in Jakarta and expanded to Bali with 90 additional gates. The biometric system has reduced passenger processing times from three to five minutes at traditional counters to just 20 to 25 seconds per passenger. Over six million travelers have used the e-gates to scan their passports and complete biometric verification within seconds.
Aussies Leverage Mobile IDV to Streamline Visa Application Process for Pacific Islanders
The Australian Government has launched the Australian Immi App, a mobile application that streamlines the visa application process for Pacific Islanders by enabling biometric data submission via smartphones. Applicants from countries like Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga can now scan their passports and capture facial images directly on their devices, eliminating the need to visit Australian Biometrics Collection Centres. The app aims to reduce visa processing times by allowing immediate submission of facial biometrics after lodging visa applications. The initiative responds to the region’s call for improved travel mobility and may expand to other countries by early 2025.
Australia’s Info Commissioner Clears 7-Eleven Over ‘Inadvertent’ Use of Facial Recognition
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has closed its investigation into 7-Eleven’s use of facial recognition technology after the company took remedial actions. In 2021, 7-Eleven breached the Privacy Act by capturing 1.6 million facial images through in-store customer feedback tablets. Despite assurances to prevent future breaches, the technology was inadvertently reactivated in 2023, capturing an additional 45,874 facial images across 54 stores. The unintended activation was caused by automatic settings in new devices from a third-party supplier. 7-Eleven has since deleted all captured images and implemented measures to prevent future occurrences, including disabling the technology company-wide and introducing hourly scans to ensure deactivation. The OAIC expressed satisfaction with these steps but remains concerned about the broader use of facial recognition technology, emphasizing the need for organizations to prioritize privacy considerations.
Idemia Likely Winner of IRS Biometrics Contract After Compressed RFQ Process
Idemia has likely secured a contract with the IRS for a multi-biometric identification system through a compressed Request for Quotation (RFQ) process. The RFQ, published on September 25, 2024, required proposals by September 27. The IRS sought a system with fingerprint, palm, facial, and iris recognition capabilities, demanding AI-driven facial recognition with 99 percent accuracy and compliance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines. Idemia was explicitly named in the RFQ as the provider of a benchmark system. The awarded system is expected to enhance the IRS Criminal Investigation Division’s capabilities by providing accurate, scalable, and secure biometric identification, integrating seamlessly with existing infrastructure and managing millions of biometric records in the cloud.
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September 27, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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