Identity News Digest – June 26, 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:

Bundestag Mulls Biometric Surveillance Ban in Data Protection Legislation

During a Bundestag hearing on the proposed first amendment to Germany’s Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG), a significant focus was on a potential ban on biometric surveillance. Representatives from the Chaos Computer Club (CCC) and the Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte (GFF) strongly advocated for the ban, which would target facial recognition systems in public spaces. The debate around biometric surveillance echoes broader EU discussions, where a general ban on biometric mass surveillance faced resistance, ultimately leading to regulations permitting real-time identification only in specific scenarios. Despite existing restrictions in Germany’s police laws, these measures are deemed insufficient, prompting calls for explicit legal prohibitions.

APRA Changes Provoke Criticism Ahead of Committee Markup

The American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) is poised for introduction in the House of Representatives, but recent revisions have provoked criticism from privacy advocates. Initially aimed at establishing a national data privacy standard, replacing various state-based regulations, the final draft of APRA has removed critical provisions related to civil rights protections, algorithmic accountability, and oversight by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These changes, attributed to partisan disagreements, have led several privacy groups to withdraw their support, arguing that the bill now fails to adequately address discriminatory data practices and privacy violations. Notably, the “Civil Rights and Algorithms” provision, which sought to prevent discriminatory data collection and processing, has been cut, along with measures requiring large data holders to mitigate algorithmic harm. Despite these omissions, the updated draft includes enhanced protections for minors’ data and expands user control over biometric data, requiring express consent for the transfer and access of biometric or genetic information and prohibiting third-party transfers of such data. The bill will face committee markup on Thursday, where further amendments could alter its final provisions.

Yoti Gets a PASS for Proof of Age

Yoti’s “Digital ID Connect” apps, including Post Office EasyID, Lloyds Bank Smart ID, and Yoti ID, have been accredited under the United Kingdom’s Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS). The accreditation, endorsed by the Home Office, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), ensures that these digital IDs meet rigorous standards, offering businesses greater assurance of their legitimacy. Yoti and the Post Office were the first certified Digital Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) under the UK’s evolving digital identity framework, with Yoti later developing the digital ID app for Lloyds Bank. Although the legislative framework for digital verification services in the UK has faced delays due to a snap election, the PASS accreditation marks progress.

Veratad Teams with CLEAR on Digital Credentials

Veratad Technologies has partnered with CLEAR to integrate its identity verification technology into Veratad’s ‘IDMax’ feature within the Veratad VX platform. The collaboration aims to enhance the range and reliability of digital identity credentials available to Veratad’s clients. The IDMax feature, designed to improve digital identity verification and user onboarding, incorporates multiple verification methods, including identity data and ID document verification, mobile phone verification, Smart2Factor authentication, knowledge-based authentication (KBA), age estimation, and biometrics. Thomas Canfarotta, VP of Product at Veratad, noted that the inclusion of CLEAR’s technology marks a significant advancement in their digital verification landscape, offering a versatile and secure user-centric platform through Veratad VX.

Biometrics and Computer Vision Expert to Head New Computer Science Dept. at IU

Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb, an expert in computer vision and biometrics, has been appointed as the founding chair of the new Department of Computer Science at the Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering in Indianapolis, starting this fall. Abdel-Mottaleb, who previously chaired the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Miami, is known for his work in 3D face and ear recognition, biometric recognition, visual tracking, and medical image processing. At IU, he will also hold the Luddy Professorship, the first of its kind on the Indianapolis campus. The new program will offer degrees in computer science, including Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, and Ph.D., with a focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software engineering, human-centered computing, and sensor networks.

Atlantic Council Fellow Urges Thoughtful Government-Industry Collaboration on Digital ID and DPI

In a recent opinion piece on the Atlantic Council website, Carole House, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center, highlights the critical importance of identity, data, and infrastructure in building a secure and trustworthy digital economy. House, who previously served on the White House National Security Council, argues that policymakers must focus on creating standards and technologies for infrastructure, protecting data privacy and integrity, and establishing secure digital identity systems. She emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts between government, industry, and civil society to address the challenges of scaling technologies and managing fragmentation in digital systems. House calls for a balanced approach to security and freedom, aligning digital policy with national security, human dignity, and economic growth. She also stresses the importance of accountability and equitable implementation of digital identity infrastructure to unlock societal and economic benefits.

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June 26, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala