Identity News Digest – June 21, 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:

Judge Sides with Microsoft in Biometric Privacy Suit Over Illicit Image Scans

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit claiming that X (formerly Twitter) violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) through its use of Microsoft’s PhotoDNA software. The lawsuit, brought by Mark Martell, argued that PhotoDNA’s detection of illegal pornographic images required the collection of biometric data without consent, violating BIPA. U.S. District Judge Sunil R. Harjani ruled in favor of X, stating that PhotoDNA uses hashing to create a unique digital signature for images, which does not involve biometric data collection. Harjani clarified that hashing is not a biometric identifier under BIPA, which covers retina or iris scans, fingerprints, voiceprints, or scans of hand or face geometry, excluding photographs.

Scots Under Arrest Now Get Biometric Info Leaflets

Police Scotland has begun distributing information leaflets to individuals in police custody who have their biometric data collected following an arrest, following recommendations from the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner in 2023. The leaflet details the types of biometric data collected, including photographs, fingerprints, and DNA profiles from mouth swabs or hair samples, and explains that this data may be shared with other law enforcement agencies within the UK and internationally for valid policing purposes. It also informs detainees of their rights, including the ability to file a complaint with the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner if they are dissatisfied with how their data is handled. With approximately 88,000 police custody episodes annually in Scotland, the leaflet aims to respect information rights and inform detainees about the statutory Code of Practice and the complaint mechanism.

Secretive Group Details Russia’s Biometric Surveillance Apparatus in New Report

A secretive group, seemingly based in Russia, has published a detailed report titled “State of Surveillance” on the country’s state surveillance system, focusing on the use of biometrics and facial recognition technology. The report highlights the legal and practical aspects of these deployments, noting the absence of explicit federal laws regulating facial recognition. Instead, local authorities, particularly in Moscow, use these technologies under broader legal provisions related to counter-terrorism and transportation security, resulting in an ambiguous legal framework. The deployment of facial recognition in Moscow began for urban public safety and expanded with the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with technologies from companies like NtechLab, VisionLabs, and Tevian integrated into the city’s surveillance infrastructure. The report also examines the broader digital surveillance context in Russia, highlighting vague laws, extrajudicial data access, and the role of digital service providers in mass surveillance.

Biometric IDV System for South African Social Subsidy Faces Pushback

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has introduced a new biometric identification process to prevent fraud in the distribution of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) social subsidy, but the initiative has faced significant resistance from beneficiaries. A number of recipients, particularly those without smartphones or internet access, are struggling to complete the identity verification process, which has left them unable to access their grants. Elizabeth Raiters from #PayTheGrants emphasized the widespread issues and the lack of adequate communication from SASSA about the new requirements. SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi defended the measures, explaining that the biometric system is essential for preventing identity theft and fraud, and that the electronic Know Your Client process is a one-time activity similar to those used by banks.

Fusion Teams with Native Hawaiian Organization on Fed-focused Joint Venture

Malama Kai Technologies (MKT), a Native Hawaiian Organization, and Fusion Technology LLC, a HUBZone small business, have formed a joint venture named Kai Fusion, aimed at enhancing their combined capabilities in cloud, agile development, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT for federal government challenges. MKT’s CEO, Holly Hidalgo, emphasized leveraging the NHO status with Fusion’s experience in supporting major federal departments, including the DOJ, DHS, and DoD. Fusion, based in West Virginia, specializes in digital transformation and cybersecurity solutions and recently secured a $159.8 million contract to support the FBI’s CJIS division. The contract involves developing software solutions for key law enforcement platforms like N-DEx, LEO, crime data applications, and LEEP. The joint venture will benefit from directed, sole-source, non-competed contract awards, including DoD contracts up to $100 million without needing Justification and Approval (J&A), offering significant time and cost savings in the government contracting process.

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June 21, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala