Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
India’s Airtel Bank Launches Biometric Anti-fraud System
Airtel Payments Bank has introduced a new security feature called Face Match, leveraging facial recognition technology to enhance account protection. When a user’s threat score—calculated using machine learning algorithms that analyze behavior, transaction patterns, and historical data—exceeds a certain threshold, the system prompts the user to take a selfie. This selfie is then compared to their onboarding photo to verify their identity. If the match is successful, the user can continue with transactions; otherwise, they must visit a banking point for further biometric verification.
Australian Information Commissioner Investigates NZ Retail Security Firm
New Zealand-based retail surveillance company Auror is under investigation by Australia’s privacy watchdog, the Australian Information Commissioner, following concerns over the Australian Federal Police’s (AFP) use of Auror’s software without proper oversight. Auror’s platform integrates facial recognition, license plate scanning, and AI data from self-checkouts, intended to help retailers and law enforcement reduce crime. The investigation was prompted after internal AFP emails revealed that over 100 police staff members had accessed the software to collect and share data without agency guidelines, raising significant privacy concerns. The AFP suspended its use of Auror’s technology after these issues came to light, and the ongoing investigation highlights broader worries about the sharing of sensitive data between retailers and law enforcement without clear ties to criminal activity.
Researchers Spanning Harvard, OpenAI Propose ‘Personhood Credentials’ to Counter AI Deception Online
A group of leading academics and researchers from institutions such as Harvard, OpenAI, and Microsoft are proposing the introduction of “personhood credentials” (PHCs) to combat online deception in the age of advanced artificial intelligence, which has increasingly blurred the lines between human and AI interactions. As AI technologies become more capable of mimicking human behavior, traditional methods like CAPTCHAs and identity verification are proving inadequate. The proposed PHCs would allow users to verify their personhood without revealing personal information, using privacy-preserving cryptographic proofs issued by trusted institutions. While biometrics are considered a potential method for linking these credentials to real individuals, the paper highlights challenges including hardware integrity, privacy concerns, and demographic biases. The researchers advocate for a decentralized approach to issuing PHCs to prevent the concentration of power and maintain online trust, stressing the urgency of proactive measures to prevent AI-driven deception from undermining internet privacy and freedom.
Biometrics Institute Charts Growth of Multimodal Biometrics, Rising Influence of AI
The Biometrics Institute’s latest research indicates a six percent growth in multimodal biometrics in 2024, underscoring the industry’s move towards integrating multiple biometric modalities to enhance security and address rising threats such as deepfakes. While facial recognition remains prevalent, the adoption of multimodal approaches—combining face, behavioral, iris, and voice biometrics—reflects a broader effort to mitigate vulnerabilities associated with single-mode systems. Artificial intelligence is also expected to significantly influence the biometrics sector over the next five years, transforming how digital identity and security are managed. Despite these advancements, privacy and data protection remain key concerns, with 58 percent of industry professionals citing them as barriers to growth.
US Special Ops Command Mulls $500M+ Academic Collaboration on Identity Exploitation
The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has announced plans to potentially collaborate with an academic institution to enhance technologies for intelligence collection and exploitation, specifically focusing on biometric, forensic, and digital identity capabilities. The partnership, if established, could involve a five-year contract valued at over $100 million annually, aiming to advance USSOCOM’s abilities in identifying and prosecuting terror suspects. The initiative underscores USSOCOM’s ongoing efforts to integrate cutting-edge academic research into its national security and counterterrorism operations, reflecting the command’s broader mission to provide specialized forces and conduct global operations against terrorist networks.
Positioning for US Growth, TrustGrid Names New COO
TrustGrid has appointed Brett Kelsey as its new Chief Operating Officer, signaling its intent to expand its presence in the US market as a provider of decentralized digital identity solutions. Kelsey, who previously served as President and COO of Reveald Inc., brings expertise in cybersecurity to the role. TrustGrid, based in Austin, Texas, has developed a decentralized ecosystem leveraging blockchain technology to enhance security and user control over digital identities. The company’s platform supports biometric identity assurance and decentralized identifiers (DIDs), aiming to address security vulnerabilities in traditional authentication systems. Kelsey’s leadership is expected to be pivotal in scaling TrustGrid’s operations and driving its growth across various sectors, including finance, education, and government.
FIDO Unveils Agenda for Authenticate 2024 Conference
The FIDO Alliance has unveiled the agenda for its upcoming Authenticate 2024 conference, set to take place from October 14-16 at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California, with options for virtual attendance. Now in its fifth year, Authenticate is a key event for cybersecurity professionals, focusing on advancements in digital identity, particularly in passwordless authentication using passkeys. The conference will feature over 100 sessions led by 125 speakers, covering a range of topics from FIDO technology fundamentals to business outcomes, implementation best practices, and UX considerations. Keynotes will be delivered by industry leaders from companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Visa, offering insights into the future of passwordless solutions for various sectors. The event will also include an interactive expo hall and networking opportunities, with content organized into 11 tracks to cater to diverse interests and expertise levels.
Anonybit Names Brian Russell to Advisory Board
Anonybit, a specialist in decentralized biometric data security, has appointed Brian Russell to its Advisory Board. With a background in banking and technology, particularly in digital identity, authentication, and artificial intelligence, Russell brings over 20 years of experience to Anonybit. His expertise is expected to be instrumental as the company continues to develop its decentralized biometric identity platform, the Genie. Anonybit’s platform enhances data security by sharding and distributing biometric data across a multi-party cloud environment, thereby mitigating the risks associated with centralized data storage. The company’s CEO, Frances Zelazny, expressed confidence that Russell’s insights will help guide Anonybit’s strategy and ensure it remains at the forefront of the evolving cybersecurity landscape. Russell joins a distinguished group of advisors at Anonybit, further bolstering the company’s efforts to innovate and expand its market presence.
Ericsson to Sell Phone ID Business for $1B
Ericsson has agreed to sell its majority stake in iconectiv, a provider of digital identity and number portability solutions, to Koch Equity Development (KED) for approximately $1 billion (SEK 10.6 billion). The transaction, which also includes Francisco Partners’ nearly 17 percent stake in iconectiv, is expected to close in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals. Iconectiv, headquartered in New Jersey, serves over 5,000 customers worldwide, including major telecom operators and regulatory bodies, and is responsible for managing essential U.S. telecommunications infrastructure like the Short Code Registry and Secure Telephone Identity Policy Administration (STI-PA). KED’s acquisition of iconectiv is part of its broader strategy to expand into telecommunications software and data services, following its 2021 purchase of Transaction Network Services, Inc.
NIST’s NCCoE Selects Participants in mDL Project
The National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) has formed a collaborative research and development agreement (CRADA) with 15 technology providers and industry experts to advance its Mobile Driver’s License (mDL) project. This initiative aims to integrate mDLs into the financial services sector to meet customer identification program requirements. The collaboration includes prominent organizations such as the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, and IDEMIA, among others. The project will develop reference architectures, workflows, and implementation guides to address the cybersecurity, privacy, and usability challenges of adopting mDLs in the financial sector. The project is structured in three phases—Define, Assemble, and Build—each focusing on different aspects of collaboration and development, ultimately aiming to promote the adoption of digital identity standards and best practices.
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August 22, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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