Identity News Digest – August 2 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:

New Identity Week Reports Delve Into Deepfakes, Border Control

IdentityWeek.net has published two new reports analyzing critical topics in the identity industry: deepfakes and biometric border control. The first report, “The Next Challenge: The Gold Standard for Defeating AI Deepfakes,” explores how biometrics firms such as iProov, Sumsub, and TECH5 are developing systems to detect and flag synthetic biometric images. It also examines the regulatory environment, including the EU’s AI Act and the role of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology in anti-spoofing technology assessment. The second report, “Biographic to Biometric Data Collection: The Exclusion of ‘Selective Disclosure’ Rights for Travel,” reviews US Customs and Border Protection’s efforts to establish a comprehensive biometric border system and compares it with other initiatives like the EU’s Entry/Exit System and Finland’s Digital Travel Credential efforts. Like Identity Week itself, these topics are global in scope.

Key Face ID Component Maker Plans Taiwan IPO

British chip parts maker IQE Plc, known for supplying key components in Apple’s Face ID technology, has announced plans for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Following the announcement, IQE’s shares rose by over 8 percent. The company, which produces epitaxial wafers (epi-wafers) crucial for iPhone facial recognition sensors, aims to list IQE Taiwan on the TWSE, selling a minority shareholding while retaining control. IQE has seen increased demand due to an AI boom and expanded market share in China, projecting a revenue increase of at least 25 percent for the first half of the year. The IPO process will begin with an initial listing on the Emerging Market Board in the first half of 2025.

Facial Recognition Ties San Francisco Counterprotestors to CCP Affiliates

Human rights groups, including Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) and the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC), have employed facial recognition technology to identify individuals allegedly involved in attacks on anti-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) demonstrators during Xi Jinping’s visit to San Francisco for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit last year. The groups analyzed photos and videos of the assaults, cross-referencing them with media reports and the websites of pro-Beijing organizations. Their report uncovered 34 incidents of harassment and assault by pro-Beijing demonstrators, linked to U.S.-based community organizations with ties to Chinese political-influence operations. The report suggests these actions were coordinated by Chinese state and Communist Party organs and calls for a federal investigation.

Hong Kong Airport Extends Biometrics Curb-to-Gate

Hong Kong International Airport has launched a new service allowing passengers to check in their baggage in less than a minute using facial recognition and mobile phones. Travelers aged 11 and older with electronic travel documents can register via their airline’s app and use NFC to scan their passports. At the airport, they use facial recognition machines at express bag drop counters to complete the process. This service, currently offered by Cathay Pacific and HK Express, is expected to cover 80 percent of passengers within two years and expand to foreign airlines.

China Proposes Digital ID for Use with ISPs

China’s Ministry of Public Security and the Cyberspace Administration have proposed a draft policy for digital IDs to enhance online identity verification and protect personal information. The draft suggests two types of cyberspace IDs: alphanumeric codes and online credentials, both linked to real identities without revealing biographical data. A national platform will authenticate and issue these IDs, reducing the need for personal data collection by internet service providers. The proposal emphasizes minimal data collection and robust data protection measures. Public feedback is invited until August 25. Manish Jain of Info-Tech Research Group noted that this policy could improve user trust and reduce fraud but also poses challenges similar to Europe’s GDPR, requiring significant adjustments from consumer-facing organizations. The centralized control by existing regulatory bodies raises concerns about government data oversight, contrasting with decentralized models in countries like India and Australia.

Apple’s Mobile ID Touches Down in Ohio

Ohio travelers can now use Apple Wallet to store a digital version of their state ID or driver’s license, enabling them to pass through TSA security checkpoints at John Glenn International Airport and Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport. Announced by Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, this initiative marks Ohio as the fifth state to adopt the program. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) verifies the necessary information for approval, and once added, the ID data is encrypted, ensuring user control and privacy. The Ohio Mobile ID application also allows businesses and agencies to verify age using digital IDs, with agencies like the BMV and the Casino Control Commission updating their systems accordingly. However, mobile IDs are not yet accepted for voting or by law enforcement, requiring legal changes for such uses.

Kamala Harris Voice Clone Stokes Deepfake Concern

A video using AI to clone Vice President Kamala Harris’s voice has raised concerns about AI’s potential to mislead voters as the election approaches. The video, shared by Elon Musk on his X social media platform, mimicked Harris making false statements. Initially shared without a disclaimer, Musk later clarified it was satire, highlighting the dangers of AI-generated content in politics. Experts emphasize the need for robust security measures like liveness detection and 3D imaging to counter deepfake threats. Companies like Reality Defender and ID R&D are developing advanced technologies to detect and secure against synthetic voices and deepfakes.

Columbia County Implements Facial Recognition Alongside New Privacy Policies

Columbia County, New York, has implemented new facial recognition and privacy policies along with upgrades to its surveillance system, which now includes facial and license plate recognition software. The measures aim to address privacy concerns by limiting tracking and data storage, restricting database access to essential public safety personnel. This initiative follows Detroit’s recent policy changes after a wrongful arrest due to facial recognition errors. Detroit now prohibits arrests based solely on facial recognition results, requires additional evidence, and mandates officer training on the technology’s risks.

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August 2, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala