Identity News Digest – June 5, 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:

Innovatrics Boosts Passive Liveness Detection Accuracy

Innovatrics has announced a significant enhancement in its passive liveness detection technology, improving its accuracy by 30 percent and reducing the equal error rate from 1.3 percent to 0.9 percent. Passive liveness detection only requires a selfie for identity verification, without additional actions from the user, and Innovatrics is continuously enhancing its technology to counter new fraud tactics. Innovatrics also recently achieved top rankings in the NIST’s MINEX III fingerprint testing program, outperforming competitors in key categories.

Janitorial Services Firm Reaches $1.85M BIPA Settlement

Vonachen Services has agreed to a $1.85 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging violations of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The lawsuit claimed that Vonachen collected and stored employee biometric data via a timekeeping system without proper consent or disclosures. The settlement covers employees at Vonachen’s Illinois facilities whose biometric data was collected from November 1, 2014, to January 18, 2024. Under BIPA, companies must obtain written consent for collecting biometric information. Vonachen has not admitted wrongdoing but agreed to settle to resolve the claims. Affected employees may receive around $780 each, with the final approval hearing scheduled for August 22, 2024.

Mastercard Brings Biometric Checkout to Uruguay’s Tienda Inglesa Red Express Store Network

Mastercard has introduced its Biometric Checkout Program at Tienda Inglesa’s Red Expres store in Uruguay, extending its presence in Latin America. The initiative, in partnership with Ingenico, Fulcrum Biometrics, Fujitsu Frontech, and Scanntech, enables customers to make payments using palm recognition technology. Tienda Inglesa’s Juan Manuel Parada expressed pride in being the first in Latin America to offer palm payments, emphasizing convenience and security. The launch follows Mastercard’s collaboration with NEC to leverage facial recognition technology globally.

HID Integrates Amazon Rekognition Into Flagship Camera System

HID has integrated Amazon Rekognition into its U.ARE.U Camera Identification System to enhance its facial detection and recognition capabilities. Amazon Rekognition, originally launched in 2016, has evolved to include advanced functions like emotion detection, though in this application it will focus on identity assurance by matching face images and detecting attributes such as eyewear and mouth position. HID’s U.ARE.U system, which already features advanced sensor technology and liveness detection to prevent spoofing, will now benefit from Rekognition’s software to operate effectively in various lighting conditions. The integration aims to improve the system’s utility in sectors including healthcare, hospitality, retail, financial services, sports, transportation, and government.

Bulgaria is Ready for Schengen Border Controls, Despite Austrian Veto: Official

Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov, head of Bulgaria’s border police, asserts that Bulgaria is ready to join the Schengen free travel area, having met all necessary criteria. Speaking to BNT, Zlatanov emphasized the role of the planned biometric Entry/Exit System in enhancing border security and noted that Bulgaria’s Border Police are well-equipped with video surveillance and sensor technology. Despite meeting these requirements, Bulgaria’s entry into Schengen has been blocked by Austria due to concerns over border security and high asylum applications. Austrian officials fear Bulgaria’s inclusion could compromise the security of the Schengen zone. However, Bulgarian officials argue the veto is unjust and highlight that proposals are in place to allow free air travel within the EU for Romanians and Bulgarians. Other European countries have also expressed concerns about readiness for the new system, particularly regarding travel across the English Channel.

Anonybit Gives Clients More Control Over Decentralized Data Vault Access

Anonybit has upgraded its Decentralized Data Vault, providing organizations with more refined control over the retrieval of their sensitive data. The platform uses a biometric authentication system that splits biometric templates into discrete ‘shards’ stored across multiple servers. It now extends its decentralized approach to other types of sensitive information, such as corporate documents and financial statements. The latest upgrade allows clients to customize data retrieval processes, potentially binding access to the biometric data of authorized employees or specific business processes. Organizations can also configure the system to share only specific data fields, enhancing security and privacy protections.

World Bank Reports Detail Digital ID Plan for Lebanon

The World Bank has published the “Lebanon ID Diagnostic” and “Lebanon Digital ID Use Cases” reports to support the design and implementation of a digital ID system in Lebanon. The reports argue for the crucial role of digital identity in the country’s digital transformation and improving the efficiency of public and private services. The reports advocate for a comprehensive digital transformation strategy incorporating electronic signatures and digital authentication to enhance service delivery, reduce fraud, and streamline processes in sectors like banking, healthcare, and social welfare. Legal and regulatory reforms are recommended to support the digital ID infrastructure, ensuring data privacy and security. The World Bank’s implementation strategy includes short-term “quick wins” like developing smartphone applications for ID verification and long-term goals such as achieving legal equivalence for digital identities and establishing a national population registry. The ID4D initiative is central to these efforts, offering research and technical assistance.

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June 5, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Peral