Identity News Digest – May 28, 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:

ICE, CBP Face Lawsuits Over Noncitizen Biometric Data Sharing

Digital rights advocacy group Access Now and the Harvard Cyberlaw Clinic are suing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for not providing documents detailing their data-sharing practices with Latin American governments. The ICE lawsuit focuses on its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) program, with Access Now aiming to uncover data-sharing agreements with countries like Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Similarly, CBP is challenged over its refusal to disclose information about the CBP One app, which collects extensive biometric and geolocation data from migrants. The app is under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

Dominican Republic Opens Short Window for Biometric e-Passport Solicitation

The General Directorate of Passports (DGP) in the Dominican Republic has issued a call for bids to acquire, install, and maintain new infrastructure for issuing electronically readable passports with biometric data and enhanced security. The initiative, driven by President Luis Abinader’s Decree 282-23, designates the project as a matter of national security, allowing for an expedited contracting process. The project aims to contract services for five years, featuring passports with security-enhancing chips to boost international recognition and facilitate visa-free travel for Dominican citizens.

IOTA Digital Identity Method Gets Support from Decentralized ID Universal Resolver

The IOTA development team has announced that its Digital Identity (DID) method is now resolvable via the Decentralized ID Universal Resolver from the Decentralized Identity Foundation (DIF). This integration simplifies adding IOTA Identity to new and existing applications, enhancing usability and adoption across different platforms. IOTA’s digital identity platform provides a secure and private online experience by enabling user-controlled data sharing without usernames and passwords, reducing the risk of data breaches. For organizations, it offers GDPR compliance, minimizes the need for storing personal information, and lowers onboarding costs. IOTA’s technology, based on the Tangle network, allows fee-less, scalable micro-transactions. The integration supports secure interactions and transactions through verifiable identities, extending trust to devices and enabling digital twins.

Finnish Digital Travel Credential Pilot Yields Positive Feedback

Finland’s pilot program for a Digital Travel Credential (DTC) for Finnair passengers has received positive feedback, with 91 percent of participants finding the setup easy, 96 percent reporting ease in sending their DTC to authorities, and 90 percent expressing willingness to use it again. Launched in August of last year, the program required passengers to match their biometric and passport information to pre-registered digital credentials via a camera and passport reader device. The pilot expanded in January to include departures and arrivals via 22 Finnair destinations. The technology used a mobile app with facial recognition powered by TECH5’s AI algorithms, and secure identification processes enabled by Auctorizium’s PKI expertise. The Finnish Border Guard reported 355 successfully processed DTC border checks, averaging just eight seconds per check, despite some technical glitches. The success of the pilot indicates promising potential for broader adoption of digital travel credentials in the EU.

May 28, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala