Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
Mauritania Launches Digital ID for e-Services, Built on TECH5 Platform
Mauritania has launched a new digital identity app that enables citizens to access government services using biometric technology provided by TECH5. The app relies on selfie-based identity verification and liveness detection to ensure secure authentication. The digital ID is stored in a 2D, machine-readable format, with all biometric and biographic data encrypted for security. The system was successfully piloted in 2023 and has now been officially released as the “Houwiyeti” app, allowing users to log in to government services via biometric authentication. The project, supported by the United Nations Development Program and local integrator SmartMS, represents a significant step in Mauritania’s digital transformation efforts.
Turkey Plans to Register Foreigners’ Biometric Data
Turkey is planning to enhance its border security by requiring foreigners entering the country to provide fingerprints. The initiative, announced by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, is part of a broader effort to strengthen biometric data collection and is currently under development. The plan also includes issuing new ID cards with biometric chips to individuals granted temporary protection status, primarily affecting Syrian citizens residing in Turkey. This move comes as the European Union prepares to implement its own biometric Entry/Exit system, highlighting Turkey’s ongoing efforts to manage migration and security amidst its complex relationship with the EU.
NIST’s Digital ID Lead Highlights PKI, Passkeys for Federal Cybersecurity
Federal officials are pushing for stronger identity authentication measures across agencies to combat phishing and enhance cybersecurity. At a recent Nextgov/FCW event, experts highlighted the need for phishing-resistant methods and quantum-resistant cryptography. Ryan Galluzzo, from NIST’s Applied Cybersecurity Division, emphasized the role of cryptographically backed digital credentials, such as those using public key cryptography and passkeys, in replacing physical documents. He warned that vulnerabilities in identity proofing can compromise the entire authentication process. Additionally, the GSA is promoting the adoption of FIDO standard-based authenticators, which use biometrics and hardware for password-less security, and is enhancing IDmanagement.gov to support federal agencies with cybersecurity resources.
New Study Finds Unique Strengths in Infrared Facial Recognition
A recent study published in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology highlights the advantages of thermal infrared (IR) facial recognition technology over traditional visible-light systems. Researchers Naser Zaeri and Rusul R. Qasim demonstrated that IR imaging can overcome challenges such as poor ambient lighting and skin tone variations by capturing unique heat patterns emitted from a person’s face. These patterns, determined by underlying facial structures, offer consistent biometric data regardless of external conditions. The study also addressed challenges like image degradation and facial expression variability, showing how Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), particularly ResNet-50, can enhance recognition accuracy in degraded thermal images.
Socure Launches ‘Selfie Reverification’ System for Returning Users
Socure has introduced a new “Selfie Reverification” feature to its document verification solution, designed to enhance identity verification for returning users. This system compares a new selfie with the user’s previously verified ID headshot from the initial onboarding, achieving a 99.9 percent match rate in under two seconds. It also includes deepfake detection and age discrepancy checks to ensure the legitimacy of the account holder. Built on Socure’s existing Document Verification system, this feature conducts passive liveness checks compliant with NIST PAD Level 2 standards to prevent sophisticated spoofing attempts.
Korean Firms Look to Face Biometrics to Fight Ticket Scalping
Korea’s fintech leader Toss, K-pop giant HYBE, and ticketing platform InterparkTriple are collaborating to develop a facial recognition system aimed at preventing ticket scalping in the K-pop industry. This new system will allow fans to use their face as their ticket, streamlining the entry process by verifying identities both during ticket purchase and at concert venues. The initiative was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and addresses the growing issue of ticket scalping, which has seen a significant rise in recent years. Toss is responsible for developing the facial recognition technology, which is expected to reduce the use of automated bots for ticket purchases and eliminate the need for traditional ID checks at events.
Microsoft Brings Selfie-based IDV to Business Customers
Microsoft has launched its Face Check facial recognition system as part of the Entra digital identification platform, making it available to business customers. Face Check enhances identity verification by matching a user’s selfie with their verified photo ID, addressing vulnerabilities in traditional identification methods that are increasingly exploited by cybercriminals using AI-generated deepfakes and other advanced techniques. The system ensures higher security by sharing only match results, thereby protecting user privacy. Businesses can access the service for $0.25 per verification or through Microsoft’s Entra Suite, which includes a limited number of free verifications.
Korea’s RaonSecure to Build Demo Environment for Indonesia’s Digital ID Service
South Korean cybersecurity firm RaonSecure Co. has secured a project to develop and implement a demo environment for Indonesia’s integrated digital identity service. The project includes consulting on digital security frameworks, training public officials, and linking citizen services with a blockchain-based decentralized identifier system. RaonSecure, known for its expertise in digital identity, authentication, and blockchain technology, previously completed a consulting project on the design of Indonesia’s national digital ID. This new initiative builds on Indonesia’s rapid progress in digital ID, which includes the development of the Digital Population Identity (IKD) app and the upcoming INA Pass system, designed to centralize access to government services through biometric verification.
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August 16, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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