Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
Hong Kong Tech Boffins Look to Biometrics, AI for ‘Smart City’ Boost
The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has partnered with the Immigration Department of the HKSAR Government to foster Hong Kong’s development into a “Smart City.” Key technological focus areas from this partnership include multi-camera matrix sensing and facial recognition, which are expected to expedite the immigration clearance process by allowing quick and precise identification, even in challenging conditions such as through vehicle windows. The initiative not only aims to improve local public service levels but also positions Hong Kong as a potential exporter of these innovative technologies, reinforcing its role as a technology transfer hub in the region.
Stuttgart Airport Shop Turns to AI for Alcohol Age Checks
EDEKA Jaeger, part of the EDEKA Group, has implemented an AI-based automatic age recognition system at its 24/7 store in Stuttgart Airport, developed by Diebold Nixdorf. Named “Vynamic Smart Vision I Age Verification,” the system uses facial analysis to quickly verify a customer’s age when purchasing age-restricted items such as alcohol. The process takes less than 10 seconds, and has significantly expedited transactions and reduced the need for staff intervention, with over 80 percent of age-restricted purchases automatically approved in its initial week.
‘Urgent’ Case Prompts Dayton Cops to Use Facial Recognition, Leading to Arrest
The Dayton Police Department in Ohio used facial recognition technology to identify a suspect in a severe assault case. The technology is not typically employed by the department, and local ordinances usually require public input before adopting new surveillance methods. However, an exception in the ordinance allows for urgent use, justified by the Police Chief due to the severity of the case where a woman was attacked and left potentially critically injured, as captured by a gas station’s surveillance. The investigation led to the arrest of the suspect in Lima, Ohio, and the victim was found alive in Indiana.
New UK Law Aims to Banish Weak Passwords
The UK government has enacted a new law to enhance cybersecurity by banning weak and default passwords on internet-connected devices such as smartphones and gaming consoles. The legislation addresses vulnerabilities commonly exploited by hackers and compels manufacturers to implement stronger security protocols, and while security experts support this development, they caution that password strength alone is not enough. They advocate for a transition to identity-level authentication systems that use behavioral analysis and access history, noting that even advanced biometric systems may be vulnerable to sophisticated AI-enabled spoofing.
Finnish Finance Ministry Launches EUDI Project
Finland has begun actively developing a digital identity wallet, targeting compliance with the European Union’s revised eIDAS Regulation and the forthcoming European Digital Identity Wallet. Managed by Finland’s Digital and Population Data Services Agency with oversight from the Ministry of Finance, the project involves creating a mobile app and an identity matching system to facilitate secure and easy access to public services. The EUDI initiative was launched in 2021 to update the digital identity framework, ensuring robust security and privacy protections, and has led to ongoing large-scale pilot projects involving major identity technology vendors like IDEMIA and iProov.
OneID Partners With Pre-Employment Screening Specialist
Aaron’s Department, a UK provider of pre-employment screening solutions, has partnered with OneID to modernize the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check process. The collaboration revolves around a digital identity verification solution that uses bank-verified data, eliminating the need for document-based checks. OneID is recognized as an Identity Service Provider certified by the Home Office for such checks, ensuring compliance with high confidence security standards. The collaboration aims to address common challenges in hiring, such as time constraints and inaccuracies in data entry, by providing quicker and more reliable identity checks.
–
April 30, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis
Follow Us