Identity News Digest – September 3, 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:

Academics Weigh In on Ethics and Risks of Biometric Tech

As biometric technologies become increasingly widespread, academic experts are voicing concerns about their ethical and regulatory implications. Juana Catalina Becerra Sandoval, a PhD candidate at Harvard University, addressed these issues during a seminar at The New York Academy of Sciences, focusing on the ethical concerns surrounding voice biometrics and their impact on marginalized communities. In an article published in The MIT Sloan Review, academics from Harvard, the University of Victoria, and Queen’s University discussed the privacy risks associated with biometric technologies and highlighted the need for robust regulatory frameworks. These experts emphasize the importance of considering the ethical implications of biometric tech, particularly in how it affects vulnerable populations and the potential for misuse in various sectors.

Rezonate’s Mid-Market Identity Security Solution Aims to Reduce Cloud Attack Surface

Identity solutions provider Rezonate has launched a new identity security solution specifically tailored for mid-market companies, aiming to address the challenges of managing identities across multi-cloud and SaaS environments. These organizations often struggle with managing a growing number of user and machine identities, which can lead to vulnerabilities and compliance issues. Rezonate’s solution offers a comprehensive view of all identity data, enabling proactive management of security risks with features like real-time identity threat detection and response (ITDR) and streamlined compliance modules. The platform integrates with major identity providers such as Okta, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Entra ID, and supports various SaaS applications like Salesforce and GitHub, providing a holistic approach to identity security.

Tampa Bay Rays Embrace Biometric ‘Go-Ahead Entry’ for Fans

The Tampa Bay Rays have become the seventh MLB team to implement the Go-Ahead Entry facial authentication system at Tropicana Field, designed to streamline the fan entry process by turning a fan’s face into their ticket. Fans can register through the MLB Ballpark app by uploading a selfie, which the system uses to authenticate their identity at entry points, increasing the speed of entry by approximately 68 percent. While this new technology offers convenience and enhanced security, it has raised privacy concerns among some fans, like Tammy King, who worry about potential data breaches. MLB officials clarified that the system uses facial authentication, not facial recognition, and does not store fan images. Instead, it converts them into numeric tokens that are securely stored and discarded after use. Participation in the system is voluntary, and the Rays are incentivizing fans to try it by offering two free tickets to a future game.

Illinoisan Bumble, Badoo Users May Get Payout from $40 Million Biometric Privacy Settlement

Bumble and Badoo users in Illinois may be eligible for a portion of a $40 million settlement after a class action lawsuit claimed that Badoo Trading Limited and Bumble Trading LLC violated the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The lawsuit alleged that the companies collected and used users’ biometric data, such as facial scans, without obtaining proper consent. The settlement covers users who accessed the apps between November 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. Eligible users must submit a claim by September 20, 2024, to qualify for a payout, which will depend on the total number of claims. Bumble and Badoo have also agreed to delete all previously collected biometric data and comply with BIPA regulations moving forward. A final approval hearing is scheduled for October 23, 2024, to confirm the settlement terms.

Fingerprint Cards ‘AllKey’ Enables Both Logical and Physical Access Control

Fingerprint Cards AB (Fingerprints) has unveiled FPC AllKey, a comprehensive biometric system designed for both logical and physical access control. The system integrates seamlessly into various devices, providing a secure alternative to traditional PINs and passwords. FPC AllKey includes all necessary components – such as hardware, software, and algorithms – packaged for easy integration, aimed at enhancing security without compromising device performance. Available in multiple variants, the system supports various security requirements and aligns with FIDO standards. The launch follows a significant purchase order from a global FIDO solutions provider, highlighting the increasing demand for biometric authentication.

New Paper Details Synthetic Image Generation for MAD System Training

A recent paper titled “Generating Automatically Print/Scan Textures for Morphing Attack Detection Applications” introduces innovative techniques to enhance Morphing Attack Detection (MAD) systems, crucial in biometric security. Authored by researchers from the Hochschule Darmstadt’s da/sec-Biometrics and Internet Security Research Group, the paper addresses the challenge of limited datasets by proposing two methods for generating synthetic print/scan images. These methods use image-to-image transfer algorithms like Pix2pix and CycleGAN, and a semi-automatic texture-transfer approach, to create diverse and realistic datasets for training MAD systems. The study demonstrates significant improvements in detection accuracy, with Equal Error Rates (EER) as low as 1.92 percent, showcasing the potential of synthetic data in bolstering biometric security against morphing attacks.

Romania Now Requires Biometric Data from Citizenship Applicants

The Romanian government has introduced new biometric requirements for citizenship applicants, effective September 1, 2024. Applicants will now need to provide biometric data, including digital photographs and fingerprints, as part of the citizenship process. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the security and efficiency of citizenship applications and aligning with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Additionally, Romania plans to replace paper-based citizenship certificates with electronic cards that store personal and biometric data. These measures are also seen as steps towards meeting the technical criteria for Romania’s potential inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and aligning with the EU’s forthcoming biometric Entry-Exit System for border control.

IDEX Brings Biometric Payment Cards to Indian Market

IDEX Biometrics has introduced biometric payment cards to the Indian market in collaboration with a global payment services provider. These cards, which authenticate users directly on the card without requiring changes to existing payment infrastructure, aim to enhance security and convenience in the Indian payment landscape. Live tests have shown successful implementation, highlighting India’s potential as a prime market given its extensive use of biometric technology and over 1 billion payment cards in circulation. The launch aligns with the Reserve Bank of India’s exploration of secure digital payment methods and follows IDEX’s recent Visa certification for its biometric card solution, further positioning the company for large-scale deployment in high-growth regions like APAC.

Germany Joins Police FRT Trend After Violent Attacks

Germany’s coalition government has introduced new security and asylum measures that include the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement. Authorities will be allowed to use biometric data from publicly accessible online sources to identify suspects in cases related to “violent Islamism.” The decision follows a recent deadly stabbing attack linked to the Islamic State, which has spurred political debate over Germany’s migration policies. The new measures also include enhanced powers for financial investigations by domestic intelligence, stricter gun and knife regulations, and a push for reforms to the Common European Asylum System. Germany’s move aligns with a broader European trend, as countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Ireland are also expanding the use of biometric technologies in law enforcement to combat violent crime.

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September 3, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala