Identity News Digest – April 25, 2024

Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:

Fusion Wins $159.8M Contract to Support FBI’s CJIS

Fusion Technology has secured a five-year contract worth $159.8 million to support the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division by enhancing various law enforcement software platforms. The West Virginia-based company, known for its expertise in digital transformation, cybersecurity, cloud development, and biometric integration, will implement the “FBI Agility with SAFe Teams (FAST) Law Enforcement Support Services” contract. The contract focuses on improving software solutions for platforms such as the National Data Exchange (N-DEx), the Law Enforcement Online (LEO) System, Crime Data applications, and the Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP).

Worldcoin Has an Orb Shortage

Worldcoin, led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is ramping up production of its “Orbs” due to high demand for the devices which scan users’ irises to confirm their unique identities and enroll them in a digital ID system that awards cryptocurrency. The project, which now boasts a user base of over 10 million people across 160 countries, has grown significantly, with its cryptocurrency valued at $4.80. The company is preparing to launch a blockchain built on Ethereum to facilitate free transactions with World ID verification, which could further increase accessibility and continue to impact less developed economies positively.

BIPA Defendants, Biometric Vendors Have ‘Common Interest Privilege’, Judge Rules

A recent legal decision in the Northern District of Illinois has established that communications between Union Pacific Railroad Company and its biometric technology vendors are protected under the “common interest privilege.” The ruling arose from a lawsuit under Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), in which Union Pacific was accused of not obtaining necessary written consent for biometric data collection through fingerprint scanning gates. The court’s decision allows Union Pacific and similar BIPA defendants to maintain the confidentiality of their communications with vendors, aiding in the coordination of defense strategies.

New Login.gov Director Will Oversee Selfie Biometrics Pilot

Hanna Kim has been appointed as the new director of the General Services Administration’s Login.gov, effective May 11, taking over from Dan Lopez-Braus. In her new role, Kim will implement an optimized pricing structure and oversee a pilot program for selfie-based biometric identity verification. The initiative comes in response to a critical report by the agency’s Inspector General, highlighting the need for improved identity verification to comply with National Institute of Standards and Technology standards. The introduction of facial recognition and live video chat aims to enhance security and accuracy in identity verification on Login.gov, which serves over 70 million users.

Former Redrock CEO Is Keyo’s New VP of Business Development

Keyo has announced the appointment of Sergei Badeka as its new Vice President of Business Development. Badeka, former CEO of Redrock Biometrics and a seasoned sales leader at a Textron Inc. subsidiary, will drive the expansion of Keyo’s biometric technology into sectors such as payments, ticketing, access control, and time and attendance. His experience in palm biometric solutions will support Keyo’s mission to deliver convenient, privacy-respecting biometric authentication. The company is backed by notable investors like Marc Randolph of Netflix.

WhatsApp Gets ‘Class 3’ Security on Android

Google’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones’ Class 3 face unlock functionality has now been integrated into WhatsApp. Class 3 biometrics, the highest tier in Android’s classification system, ensures stringent accuracy, making it ideal for securing sensitive applications, including banking and payment apps. The Pixel 8 series offers this top-level face unlock in addition to a traditional fingerprint scanner, providing users with robust and flexible security options.

BioCatch Survey Chart Rising Concern About AI

New survey data from BioCatch reveals a concerning trend: nearly 70 percent of the 600 fraud-management, anti-money laundering, and risk and compliance officials across 11 countries believe criminals are better at utilizing artificial intelligence for financial crimes than banks are at using AI to counteract these crimes. What’s more, a significant 91 percent of respondents are reconsidering their use of voice verification due to AI’s ability to clone voices. Other key findings include substantial financial losses due to AI-powered attacks, the need for improved collaboration within financial institutions, and the anticipated use of AI to facilitate better information-sharing across the industry.

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April 25, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis