Identity News Digest – August 27, 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:

Planned Digital ID System to Integrate Somalia’s Biometric National ID Into Banking

The Somali government plans to launch a national digital identification system, a collaboration between the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Somali Bankers Association (SBA), aimed at integrating the Somali National ID system with the banking sector. NIRA Director General Abdiwali Tima’adde stated that this initiative will enhance Somalia’s economy by reducing financial risks, such as fraud and money laundering, while providing secure access to modern financial services aligned with international standards. The system, supported by stakeholders like the World Bank, will also make National ID registration more accessible. This development follows the government’s launch of a biometric national ID system last year, which aims to register 15 million Somalis by 2026, collecting face and fingerprint biometrics and digitizing signatures.

Bavaria’s Minister of Interior Pushes for Biometric Surveillance

Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann has proposed equipping Bavarian police with live facial recognition technology in public spaces, using existing cameras in areas such as train stations and large squares. Herrmann argues that this AI-powered biometric surveillance system is necessary for investigating criminals, dismissing data protection concerns by assuring that non-matching images would be deleted immediately. While acknowledging potential software errors, he points to the success of the State Criminal Police Office’s (LKA) current image comparison technology, which achieved around 1,200 matches in 2023. The proposal aligns with the EU’s AI regulation permitting such surveillance for serious crimes, but it faces significant opposition from data protection advocates. Bavaria’s data protection commissioner, Thomas Petri, warns that the technology could infringe on fundamental rights and lead to widespread misidentification in busy public areas.

European Commission Walks Back Official’s Comments on Entry-Exit Launch Date

The European Union’s biometric Entry-Exit System (EES), which has faced multiple delays, is now expected to go live in autumn 2024, although the exact launch date remains uncertain. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson recently suggested a November 10 launch, citing significant progress in final testing, but the European Commission has not officially confirmed this date. Instead, officials have indicated that the system could be activated any time in the autumn, with November 17 being held as a potential fallback. The EES, originally set for a 2022 launch, has seen its timeline pushed back several times, with the most recent postponement shifting the date to October 2024. Additionally, plans are being discussed to mitigate potential biometric screening delays at the English Channel, possibly allowing some travelers to bypass fingerprint and facial scans to avoid long queues.

Ghana Police Make Arrest in Connection to Stolen Biometric Voter ID Tech

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has responded to public concerns after the arrest of a man in possession of a stolen Biometric Verification Device (BVD). The EC has assured the public that the integrity of the December 2024 elections remains secure despite the incident. The suspect, 52-year-old Samuel Yaw Koranteng, was apprehended in Nsawam, Eastern Region, allegedly attempting to sell the device. The EC emphasized that the stolen BVD cannot be misused to influence the election, as these devices are designed with multiple security layers and are activated only for specific polling stations and election days. The Commission also clarified that BVDs are used solely for voter verification and not for voting itself. The EC has pledged to cooperate with the police investigation and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the credibility and transparency of the upcoming elections.

Essex Police’ First LFR Deployment Leads to Three Arrests

Essex Police successfully deployed live facial recognition (LFR) technology for the first time during the Clacton Airshow, leading to three arrests. The LFR system, operated from police vans over two days, identified individuals wanted for serious offenses, including domestic and common assaults. This marks a significant step in Essex Police’s efforts to enhance community safety by efficiently locating and apprehending individuals connected to ongoing investigations. Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett emphasized the effectiveness of LFR in aiding police work while ensuring public safety. Essex Police assured that the technology respects privacy by immediately deleting images of individuals not on the watch list and highlighted its ability to recognize partially covered faces, further improving its utility.

IDEX Pay Biometric Card Gets Visa Certification

IDEX Biometrics has reached a significant milestone with the Visa certification of its IDEX Pay biometric card solution, achieved on August 26, 2024. This certification confirms that IDEX Pay meets Visa’s rigorous functional and security standards, paving the way for large-scale commercialization within the Visa payment network, which includes over 3 billion cards globally. The IDEX Pay solution integrates a proprietary card operating system, a fingerprint sensor, and Infineon’s secure SLC38 element. With prior certification from Mastercard, IDEX Pay is positioned to become a major player in the biometric payment card industry, targeting key growth markets in regions such as APAC, Latin America, and Africa. The certification underscores IDEX Biometrics’ leadership in delivering secure, high-standard biometric payment solutions to card manufacturers and banks worldwide.

U.S. Army’s Biometrics Office Gets a New Leader

Forrest Church has stepped down as the head of the Product Manager (PdM) Biometrics office, with Lt. Col. Paul Janker now taking over the role. During his tenure, which began in May 2023, Church oversaw key projects including the migration of the DoD Automated Biometrics Identification System (DoD ABIS) to the cloud and the development of the Next Generation Biometric Collection Capability (NXGBCC), slated for fielding in 2025. Church, one of the few civilians to lead a product management office within the Army, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to support biometric technology across all geographic combatant commands. Lt. Col. Janker, who has experience with biometrics technology from his deployments in Iraq, has already begun familiarizing himself with the office’s operations. The PdM Biometrics office, now operating within the Project Manager, Terrestrial Sensors (PM TS) under the Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors (PEO IEW&S), continues to play a crucial role in supporting U.S. Army combat operations and the Army’s broader transformation efforts in biometric and forensic solutions.

South Africa’s Airport Authority Cancels IDEMIA Contract

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has terminated its contract with IDEMIA, the French technology firm responsible for implementing a biometric and digital identity system at South African airports. The R115 million project included the development of Automated Border Control (ABC), e-Gates, and a single token system aimed at improving passenger experience. Despite the contract termination, ACSA emphasized the importance of the biometric project in its strategic plans and indicated plans to pursue it in the future. The termination follows the suspension of ACSA’s Chief Information Officer amid an investigation into potential wrongdoing related to the project.

Parliamentary Inquiry Looks Into Biometric Workplace Surveillance in Victoria

A parliamentary inquiry in Victoria, Australia, is set to hold public hearings in September and November to examine the impacts of workplace surveillance, particularly focusing on biometric technologies. The inquiry, led by the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee, follows the receipt of 42 submissions from various individuals and organizations. A key concern raised in the submissions is the lack of specific legislation in Victoria governing the use of biometric surveillance in the workplace. Unlike New South Wales, where employers must notify employees about surveillance, Victoria lacks clear guidelines on the use and storage of biometric data. Legal groups, such as the Australian Lawyers Alliance and the Law Institute of Victoria, have called for more comprehensive legislation to protect workers’ privacy. The hearings will feature input from unions, legal experts, and employer groups, addressing the broader impact of surveillance on workplace culture and employee wellbeing.

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August 27, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala