Identity News Digest – August 8, 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:

UK PM Looks to Expand Police Facial Recognition Amid Knife Attack Riots

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to expand the use of facial recognition technology in policing following riots sparked by a multiple-homicide knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. The attack, which led to the deaths of three children and injuries to two adults, prompted widespread unrest. Starmer’s “National Violent Disorder Programme” aims to enhance police powers and deploy facial recognition more broadly to quickly identify and bring criminals to justice. The move is supported by Chief Constable Gavin Stephens and reflects similar measures considered in Ireland after a comparable incident.

CPSC Urges Consumers to Disable Biometric Sensors on Owsoo and Cacagoo Gun Safes

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an urgent warning to stop using and disable the biometric features on Owsoo and Cacagoo-branded gun safes, sold on Amazon and Walmart, due to safety risks. These safes can open with any fingerprint, posing a danger of unauthorized access, including by children. There have been six reports of unauthorized access. Owners are advised to remove the batteries, puncture the biometric reader, and use keys for access. This follows a series of recalls, including 133,370 gun safes from SA Consumer Products, due to similar issues with biometric locks. These actions were prompted by a tragic incident involving a faulty biometric lock on a Fortress Safe that resulted in a child’s death.

Azerbaijan Looks for Assistance with Digital ID Effort

Azerbaijan is advancing its digital transformation by implementing digital IDs via the “mygov” platform, as announced by the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA). The initiative seeks to attract startups and tech companies, aligning identity and data protection regulations with international standards. The digital ID system will enable citizens to access and share identity documents digitally, with the same legal weight as physical IDs, benefiting businesses by reducing the need for physical ID verification. Azerbaijan’s digital strategy includes a unified login platform, a Cybersecurity Center, and support for small businesses.

Major BIPA Amendment Signed Into Law

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed S.B. 2979, amending the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The amendment, effective immediately, specifies that multiple instances of collecting the same biometric identifier from the same person will count as a single violation, significantly reducing potential liability for businesses. This change overturns the Illinois Supreme Court decision in Cothron v. White Castle Systems, Inc., which allowed for claims with each biometric scan. The amendment also validates electronic consent, including online “clickwrap” releases, as a form of consent under BIPA.

In New Pilot, Singapore’s Changi Airport Ditches Passport Screening

Singapore’s Changi Airport has begun a trial allowing Singapore residents to clear immigration using biometric processing of their eyes and faces, eliminating the need for passports. This “token-less clearance” program is currently available at Terminal 3 and will expand to all terminals by September, and to Seletar Airport and Marina Bay Cruise Centre by December 2024. Foreign travelers can also participate by enrolling their biometric data at manual immigration counters. Part of Singapore’s “New Clearance Concept,” the initiative aims to modernize immigration, improve border security, and reduce wait times by 40 percent.

South African Airport Authority on Defensive After Biometrics Glitch, Contract Controversy

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed that a technical glitch in the new Biometric Movement Control System (BMCS) caused significant delays at King Shaka International Airport. Efforts are underway to enhance the system by increasing bandwidth and reducing manual processing. Concurrently, a legal dispute has arisen over the R115 million contract awarded to IDEMIA, which InfoVerge claims excluded it from the project after initially partnering. ACSA asserts its procurement processes were transparent and that the dispute is between IDEMIA and InfoVerge. The situation remains under close scrutiny by stakeholders and the public.

Google Can’t ‘Investigate the Investigator’ in Texas Privacy Case, Judge Rules

A Texas state judge has blocked Google from deposing the state and its legal team in a lawsuit alleging the unauthorized collection of biometric data from millions of Texans through Google Photos, Google Assistant, and Nest Hub Max. Filed in 2022, the lawsuit accuses Google of deceptive trade practices and violating Texas’ biometric privacy laws, with potential penalties up to $25,000 per violation. Google sought to question Texas on key terms and the basis of the claims, but Judge Leah Robinson ruled this was an impermissible attempt to “investigate the investigator.” The case is part of broader enforcement efforts of Texas’ biometric privacy law, which also saw Meta agreeing to a $1.4 billion settlement in a similar lawsuit.

J.P. Morgan Plans More Biometric Payments Pilots with PopID

J.P. Morgan Payments is expanding its partnership with biometric payments specialist PopID, indicating a growing interest in face-scan payment authorizations. The collaboration began in early 2023, with pilots at retailers like Sephora. Prashant Sharma, J.P. Morgan’s Executive Director of Biometrics and Identity Solutions, plans for a broad biometric checkout launch by early 2025. The expanded partnership will deploy in-store biometric payments across the U.S., including Whataburger. Customers enrolled in PopID can use facial recognition to make purchases at participating retailers, potentially reducing checkout times by 90 seconds and increasing ticket sizes by four percent. Jean-Marc Thienpont of J.P. Morgan Payments emphasized this as a transformative step for retail. PopID, founded in 2016, saw increased appeal during the COVID-19 pandemic for enabling contactless transactions.

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August 8, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala