Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
Apple Cracks Open the Door to iPhone NFC, SE
Apple plans to allow developers access to its iPhone’s NFC and Secure Element (SE) capabilities, which were previously restricted to Apple Pay, with the upcoming iOS 18.1 update. The move will enable in-app contactless transactions across a variety of applications, including payments, digital keys, transit passes, and event tickets, with future support for government IDs. The Secure Element will securely store sensitive data, working alongside Apple’s biometric authentication for secure transactions. But only developers who meet specific industry standards and enter into agreements with Apple will be able to access these capabilities.
IDEX Promotes CCO Eklof to Chief Executive
IDEX Biometrics has promoted Catharina Eklof, formerly its Chief Commercial Officer and a veteran of Mastercard, to the role of CEO, replacing Vince Graziani, who will now serve as an advisor. Eklof, who joined IDEX in 2021, has played a key role in the company’s shift from being a component provider to a comprehensive biometric solution firm. Her appointment comes as IDEX advances the commercialization of its biometric payment card technology, with recent production orders in Asia and EMEA.
Uganda Prepares Large-scale Biometric Registration for National ID
Uganda’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is set to launch a large-scale biometric registration exercise in October of 2024, deploying 5,680 biometric kits equipped with iris scanners. The initiative aims to enroll 17.2 million unregistered Ugandans and renew the IDs of 15.8 million citizens, aligning with the Electoral Commission’s deadline to update the voters’ register before the 2026 general elections. The project includes hiring 13,000 personnel to operate across 10,717 parishes, and features online pre-registration followed by biometric data capture at the parish level. Enhanced biometric kits with solar power capabilities will be used, though it remains unclear if a specific vendor has been chosen amid ongoing controversy over ID card contracts in Uganda.
Canadian Border Agency to Use Amazon Biometric Tech to Track Deportees
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) plans to launch a facial recognition app called ReportIn this fall, designed to monitor individuals facing deportation by confirming their identity through biometric checks and recording their location during scheduled check-ins. The app uses Amazon Web Services’ Rekognition technology to perform face comparisons and generate similarity scores against reference photos, triggering investigations if a match fails. Although the app only collects location data during check-ins and does not track users continuously, its reliance on Amazon’s technology, which has not undergone voluntary testing by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has raised privacy concerns.
Kurdish Court Mulls Biometric Voter Registration Complaint
A group of 14 individuals from the Kurdistan Region has filed a complaint with Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court, alleging that voting machines failed to recognize their fingerprints. The issue could affect “thousands of people” according to the plaintiffs, and comes ahead of the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections. The plaintiffs suggest potential solutions such as extending the registration period, implementing iris recognition, or establishing a special registration process for those impacted. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) had previously halted biometric registrations due to similar issues and called for re-collection of biometric data.
Europe’s Biometric Enty-Exit System to Go Live November 10, Says EU Home Affairs Commissioner
The European Union’s biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to become operational on November 10, 2024, following multiple delays related to IT issues and border infrastructure preparations. The EES, which will require non-EU travelers, including UK citizens, to register their entry and exit by scanning passports and providing biometric data such as fingerprints and face scans, aims to enhance border security and monitor overstays in the Schengen Area. While the system’s launch is expected to improve security, concerns have been raised about potential travel delays, particularly at the UK’s Port of Dover and other key entry points. To alleviate potential disruptions, the European Commission is advocating for a gradual rollout of the system.
Biometric Fingerprinting Aids in Arrests of Hundreds in Kuwait
Kuwaiti authorities have effectively used mandatory biometric fingerprinting to apprehend hundreds of individuals wanted for various crimes at Kuwait International Airport and land crossings since the initiative’s implementation in May of 2023. The biometric system has been rolled out to enhance security and ensure proper identification of all residents. The government has set deadlines for mandatory fingerprint enrollment – September 30, 2024, for citizens and December 31, 2024, for expatriates – and emphasized that failure to comply will result in suspension of government services. To assist those unable to visit centers, a home biometrics service has been introduced.
Biometric Authentication Enables India’s First ‘Grain ATM’
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Odisha Government have launched India’s first 24-hour grain dispensing machine, the “Grain ATM,” in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant advancement in the country’s public distribution system (PDS). Named “Annapurti,” this initiative uses biometric authentication to ensure accurate and efficient distribution of grain to PDS beneficiaries, allowing them to access their rations at any time. The machine can dispense up to 50 kilograms of grain in just five minutes, and is meant to reduce wait times and manual errors associated with traditional grain distribution methods.
iiDENTIFii Comes to Azure Marketplace
iiDENTIFii, a biometric technology company based in Cape Town, has expanded its reach by making its facial recognition technology available on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. The move allows businesses to easily access and deploy iiDENTIFii’s 3D liveness detection and identity verification solutions directly through the Azure cloud platform. Founded in 2018, iiDENTIFii’s technology is designed to combat fraud, including deepfake and digital replay attacks, and is used by major banks, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and governments worldwide. The company’s recognition in the Prism Financial Services Report and its partnerships, such as with Tarsus Distribution, underscore its growing influence in the digital identity and biometrics sector.
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August 21, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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