Identity News Digest – September 12, 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:

Illinois Appeals Court Rules Lloyd’s Insurers Not Obligated to Defend BIPA Class Action

A split panel of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, has ruled that insurers from Lloyd’s of London are not required to defend Tony’s Finer Foods Enterprises Inc. in a class action lawsuit filed under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The lawsuit, brought by former employee Charlene Figueroa, alleges that Tony’s collected employee biometric data via fingerprint scans without proper consent and failed to publish a data deletion policy. The court’s majority opinion held that the class action did not involve a data breach or security failure, which would typically trigger coverage under Lloyd’s cyber policies. The involvement of a third-party timekeeping company, Kronos, in handling the biometric data further absolved the insurers from defense obligations. The appellate court reversed a lower court ruling that had favored Tony’s, though a dissenting judge argued that the insurers should have provided a defense. The ruling comes after Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed an amendment to BIPA, altering how violations are counted.

Birdi Systems Secures Multi-Year Contract for Daytona Beach Airport Upgrade

Birdi Systems, Inc. has been awarded a multi-year contract to upgrade security systems at Daytona Beach International Airport (DBIA) in Florida. The contract involves the installation of biometric facial recognition cameras, a perimeter intrusion detection system, an integrated video management system, and a smart key solution. Additionally, the project will include the implementation of an access control system, an ID management and credentialing system, and a Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) platform. A key feature is Birdi’s Federated and Integrated Services for Credentialing (FISC) software, which streamlines credentialing processes and allows for efficient access control, including automatic deactivation of credentials when employees leave the airport. The modernization aims to improve airport security and operational efficiency, following a trend of major airports, like Denver International, adopting biometric technologies to enhance security and passenger flow.

Philippines Authorities Warn Against Digital ID Printing

Philippine authorities are cautioning against printing physical copies of the state’s digital IDs, warning that doing so could result in fines or imprisonment under Republic Act No. 11055, the Philippine Identification System Act. While the Digital National ID and the ePhilID are considered equivalent to the physical ID cards, officials from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) stressed that printing digital versions is prohibited. The Digital National ID, introduced in June, can be accessed through computers or smartphones using biometric verification, and serves as an official form of identification. The ePhilID, a downloadable PDF version, is also valid for official use but must be obtained through a secure portal. Both initiatives are part of the country’s push for digital transformation and improved service delivery.

Voice Deepfake-focused Illuma Labs Raises $9M in Series A Funding Round

Illuma Labs, a fintech company specializing in voice authentication for banking contact centers, has raised $9 million in Series A funding, led by LiveOak Ventures and supported by Forefront Venture Partners, Curql Fund, and others. The funding will accelerate the development of Illuma’s voice biometric solutions, including its flagship product “Illuma Shield”, which replaces traditional authentication methods with real-time voice verification to enhance security, prevent fraud, and detect deepfakes. The technology has already been adopted by early users like TDECU and Connexus Credit Unions, improving both security and efficiency. Illuma aims to expand its solutions to more financial institutions nationwide, addressing growing concerns over voice spoofing attacks as deepfake tools become more accessible.

Las Vegas Sheriff Backs Police Union’s Opposition to NFL’s Facial Recognition Policy

Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill has voiced support for the local police union’s opposition to the NFL’s new facial recognition policy, which would require officers working security at Raiders games to register their biometric data for identification. The Las Vegas Police Protective Association (LVPPA) has raised concerns over potential misuse of officers’ biometric data by third-party vendors, urging officers to reconsider compliance with the policy. The NFL, in partnership with Wicket, is expanding its biometric credentialing system, which has already been piloted at six stadiums. Although the NFL has offered to destroy the data at the end of each season, concerns about privacy and data security remain. Sheriff McMahill emphasized that officers have the choice to continue working games under the policy but assured that public safety will not be compromised, with contingency plans in place if an agreement is not reached. Currently, officers use wristbands for identification at Allegiant Stadium.

Advocacy Group Suggests ‘Sabotage’ if German Policing Bill Passes

Germany’s recently proposed “security package,” which includes expanded biometric surveillance measures like facial recognition, has drawn significant criticism from civil rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Chaos Computer Club (CCC). The measures, introduced after a deadly Islamic State-linked attack, aim to bolster policing but are seen by activists as a threat to privacy and fundamental rights. Critics argue that the expanded surveillance powers will disproportionately target vulnerable groups and could enable racial profiling. Matthias Marx of the CCC suggests more active resistance, even hinting at “sabotage” if the bill passes. Civil rights groups like D64 and the “No Facial Recognition” campaign are mobilizing against the package, arguing that AI-supported surveillance would erode civil liberties without significantly improving security.

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September 12, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala