Identity News Digest – July 10, 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:

Worldcoin Launches Dev Preview for Digital ID Blockchain

Worldcoin has launched the developer preview of its World Chain blockchain, a significant step towards creating a global digital identity platform. The preview allows developers to explore and provide feedback before the mainnet launch later this summer. The blockchain-based digital ID system is linked to Worldcoin’s cryptocurrency project, which uses iris biometrics to verify the uniqueness of users. The biometric onboarding is facilitated by iris-scanning devices called “Orbs,” and interactions on the World Chain will occur through the World ID app, which already has over 10 million users. Worldcoin envisions applications for stablecoin finance, international remittances, commerce, and proof of humanness.

Lawmakers Seek to Upgrade TSA Tech, Eliminate Biometric Border Funding Diversion

Lawmakers have introduced several bills to accelerate the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) deployment of enhanced screening technology and improve the airport experience for travelers. Led by Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), one bill aims to stop the diversion of funds from the 9/11 security fee, which was redirected towards deficit reduction in 2013. The proposed legislation seeks to establish an “aviation security checkpoint technology fund” within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to help TSA acquire new technologies, such as upgraded Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) machines that use facial biometrics for identity verification.

After Pilot, Essex Police Move Forward with LFR Plans

England’s Essex Police plan to permanently implement live facial recognition (LFR) technology following a successful trial in Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea in October 2023. Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said that LFR will be used solely to apprehend wanted individuals and prevent serious crimes, with officers making arrest decisions rather than the technology itself. The trial, involving surveillance cameras on marked police vans, led to three arrests from five LFR alerts, including one for suspected rape. Harrington assured the public that non-suspect faces would be immediately deleted and that the implementation would involve public consultations to ensure fairness. In addition to LFR, Essex Police used retrospective facial recognition in May and June to identify 78 offenders using images from home security cameras.

Clearview’s TX-Ramp Level 2 Certification Opens Door to More Potential Business in Texas

Clearview AI has achieved Texas Risk and Authorization Management Program (TX-RAMP) Level 2 Certification, enabling the company to potentially expand its business with Texas state agencies. The certification, which focuses on cloud services handling confidential or regulated data, requires a comprehensive security assessment, adherence to state and federal regulations, continuous monitoring, and robust incident response procedures. It allows Clearview AI to work with law enforcement agencies in Texas, offering its facial recognition platform that searches for face matches against a vast database of internet-collected images. Despite the platform’s popularity among law enforcement, Clearview AI has faced privacy complaints, particularly under Illinois’s biometric privacy laws, and recently settled a class action lawsuit with claimants receiving a stake in future contracts.

FPC-IN Groupe Collaboration Bears Fruit with Biometric Card Launch

Fingerprint Cards AB (Fingerprints) and IN Groupe, through its SPS brand, have launched a secure component solution for contactless biometric payment cards. This collaboration, initiated in November 2023, aims to support global card manufacturers in producing next-generation biometric payment cards, aligning with the increasing consumer demand for contactless payments. The new biometric cards incorporate Fingerprints’ second-generation T-Shape (T2) sensor module and software platform, which feature ultra-low power consumption and superior biometric performance. The partnership focuses on simplifying the manufacturing process, enhancing reliability, and reducing costs to facilitate mass adoption.

Biometrics Experts Respond to the Deepfake Threat

With the 2024 election year raising concerns about AI-generated media compromising information integrity, digital authentication specialists are countering deepfake-powered cybercriminals. Deloitte predicts AI-related fraud losses in the financial sector could escalate from $12.3 billion in 2023 to $40 billion by 2027. Biometric and identity security companies have been preparing for this threat. Biometric authentication faces “spoofing” attacks, where legitimate credentials are mimicked. Experts like Danielle VanZandt from Frost & Sullivan highlight how easy it is to access deepfake tools, making fraud simpler to perpetrate. Synthetic identities combine real and fabricated data, challenging traditional fraud detection methods; and deepfakes can infiltrate identity verification systems during user enrollment, posing advanced persistent threats. Solutions include multi-layered security controls, liveness detection technology, and three-dimensional imaging systems to ensure genuine presence during enrollment.

In-Car Facial Recognition Could Disable Ignition for Drunk Drivers

Researchers at Australia’s Edith Cowan University have developed a new facial recognition system to prevent intoxicated drivers from operating their vehicles. Using in-car cameras, typically used as dash cams, the system identifies signs of intoxication and can potentially prevent the car from starting if impairment is detected. In a study with 60 volunteers driving at different intoxication levels (sober, low, and severe) using a driving simulator, the system achieved a 75 percent accuracy rate in determining intoxication based on facial movements, gaze direction, and head position. The technology aims to overcome the limitations of existing methods like mini-breathalyzers and pressure-sensing car seats by providing a proactive solution that prevents the vehicle from starting. Dr. Syed Zulqarnain Gilani, the lead scientist, highlighted the potential for low-resolution video applications, suggesting that the technology could be used in roadside surveillance cameras and by law enforcement agencies to prevent drunk driving. The system may also be adapted into a smartphone app for broader use in testing sobriety before driving.

NatWest Leverages Digital ID Tech to Smooth Business Transactions in Scandinavia

NatWest, a leading UK bank, has announced the adoption of OneID’s digital identity system for its Structured Finance business in Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The integration allows anyone with an online banking account in these countries to verify their identity through the digital service when signing a NatWest leasing agreement. OneID, based in Manchester, confirms user data with their banks and has recently enhanced its identity assurance mechanisms through a partnership with IDVerse. IDVerse’s platform employs face biometrics and liveness detection for identity and age verification, addressing fraud concerns. Additionally, IDVerse is certified for Right to Work, Right to Rent, and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) under the UK’s Digital Identity & Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF). The OneID platform will be combined with Adobe’s digital signing technology to streamline business operations, reducing the process from days to hours and supporting sustainability efforts.

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July 10, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala