Identity News Digest – June 13, 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:

Another Canadian Police Service Looks to Biometrics for Inmate Safety

The Barrie Police Service (BPS) has installed biometric sensors in five holding cells to enhance the monitoring and care of detainees by tracking motion, respiration, and heartbeat. The sensors provide real-time health updates, with alarms to alert staff if a detainee’s health status changes, ensuring prompt medical attention. In collaboration with the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services, the initiative aims to improve the safety and dignity of those in custody, complementing existing wellness checks and video and audio monitoring systems.

IDVerse Brings Identity Assurance Tech to Temenos Exchange

IDVerse’s identity assurance technology is now accessible through the Temenos Exchange, a prominent online marketplace for fintech solutions operated by global banking software company Temenos. IDVerse’s system verifies new users by comparing their smartphone-captured selfies to images of their physical IDs, supporting over 16,000 types of identity documents in 142 languages. Notably, IDVerse’s technology is entirely trained on generative AI, avoiding privacy concerns related to large facial datasets and ensuring diverse representation. The integration allows IDVerse’s solution to be easily available to banks globally on the Temenos platform.

eIDAS-Testbed Goes Live, Validates First Open Source EUDIW

The go.eIDAS Association, along with key partners, has launched the eIDAS-Testbed to support the European Digital Identity Framework, aimed at implementing the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW) by 2026. The launch event in Lichtenfels, Germany, featured organizations such as C&S Computer und Software GmbH, the Eclipse Foundation, and the eco Association. The EUDIW will enable strong cross-border authentication and electronic signatures for various sectors, including eGovernment, eHealth, and eCommerce. The eIDAS-Testbed integrates Verifiable Credentials (VC) using OpenID protocols and an Issuer Service connected to the eIDAS-Network.

Passkey Support Comes to AWS IAM

At its annual re:inforce conference, Amazon Web Services (AWS) introduced AI-powered features and enhanced security measures, notably including passkey support in AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM). Built on the WebAuthentication standard, passkeys provide a more secure and user-friendly alternative to passwords by enabling sign-ins through authenticators like Touch ID, Windows Hello, or hardware security keys. This multi-factor authentication feature allows AWS users to create passkeys using biometrics such as fingerprints, faces, or device PINs, enhancing security while simplifying access. Other security enhancements include improved AWS IAM Access Analyzer recommendations and malware protection for Amazon S3.

Indiana Cop Used Clearview AI to Perform Searches Unrelated to Casework, Audit Finds

A police officer in Evansville, Michael Eric Dockery, has resigned after an audit revealed he misused Clearview AI facial recognition technology for personal purposes. The audit, conducted as the department prepared to renew its Clearview AI licenses, exposed Dockery’s improper use of the software, including unauthorized searches using legitimate case numbers. Between April and December 2023, Dockery ran photos of nine individuals through the system, none of whom were connected to police investigations. In response, the Evansville Police Department has implemented new safeguards, including mandatory quarterly audits, and renewed its Clearview AI licenses with a commitment to transparency and proper use of the technology.

Turing Institute Gets £3M Digital ID Grant from Gates Foundation

The Alan Turing Institute has received a renewed grant of approximately $4 million (£3.1 million) from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop secure, private, and trustworthy digital public infrastructure, focusing on digital identity systems. The three-year project will address risks associated with digital infrastructure, develop trust mechanisms for digital IDs in cross-border trade, enhance secure data sharing methods, and increase skills for evaluating ID system trustworthiness. The grant continues the Gates Foundation’s support, which included a $5.1 million investment over the past four years, aimed at benefiting low- and middle-income countries. Project co-leads Prof Carsten Maple and Prof Jon Crowcroft emphasized the importance of extending their understanding of digital identity trustworthiness to broader digital infrastructures.

With UNDP Support, Moldova Launches Digital ID

The Republic of Moldova has introduced EVO, a comprehensive digital wallet developed by its e-Governance Agency with support from the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, UNDP, and other partners. EVO allows citizens and residents to access legally recognized digital versions of their ID cards, driver’s licenses, and vehicle registration certificates. The app, reflecting Moldova’s commitment to efficient governance, was developed with contributions from USAID, Sweden, the UK, the Ukraine Moldova American Enterprise Fund, and the World Bank. The initiative resulted from a UNDP-supported digital innovation competition. EVO aims to simplify public service access and includes features like digital payment modules and e-services access, with future updates planned.

—

June 13, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala