Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
NIST Offers FRTE Update at Age Assurance-focused Biometrics Institute Event
The Biometrics Institute has spotlighted age assurance technology in its latest On the Pulse Conversation, emphasizing the role of face analysis in protecting children and vulnerable individuals online. Experts discussed privacy-enhancing technologies that estimate a person’s age without collecting personal identity data. Patrick Grother from NIST provided an update on NIST’s Face Recognition Technology Evaluation report, while leaders from Jumio, Unissey, Incode, and Yoti shared insights on advancements in this field. Biometrics Institute CEO Isabelle Moeller underscored the need for rigorous testing to ensure privacy, ethics, and user experience, aligning with the Institute’s third Law of Biometrics. These topics will be further explored at the upcoming Biometrics Institute Congress in October 2024.
Denver Airport Deploys Face-scanning Kiosks
Denver International Airport (DIA) has implemented facial recognition technology at 15 gates to streamline the boarding process for international travelers. The system, part of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative, compares travelers’ photos with government-stored images, such as passport and visa photos. The technology reduces boarding time to about three seconds, though travelers may instead opt for manual passport checks. The deployment is part of a broader trend across U.S. airports to enhance security and efficiency through biometrics. DIA and CBP assure that privacy standards are upheld, including the deletion of U.S. citizens’ photos within 12 hours. The initiative aligns with CBP’s Biometric Entry-Exit Program, which has expanded rapidly since 2016 to improve international travel security.
Russian Government Plans Biometric Border Initiative
The Russian government has proposed a pilot program requiring foreigners and stateless individuals to submit biometric data, starting December 1, 2024, and running until June 30, 2026. Initially, biometric data collection will take place at major Moscow airports and the Mashtakovo checkpoint on the Kazakhstan border, with a second phase in 2025 allowing data submission via a mobile app. Certain groups, such as Belarusian citizens and diplomats, will be exempt. The collected biometric data could be used for services like purchasing SIM cards, as part of Russia’s broader effort to regulate biometric data for security and identification purposes. This initiative aligns with Russia’s growing use of biometric surveillance, which has expanded rapidly in recent years, particularly in urban centers like Moscow.
Kurds Look to Biometrics to Fight Payroll Fraud in Government
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is implementing biometric technology to improve payroll management for civil servants, aiming to address delays and prevent fraud caused by financial issues and disputes with the federal government. By registering employees biometrically and assigning unique identification numbers, the KRG seeks to eliminate duplicate entries and errors in the payroll system. The initiative is part of efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in response to Baghdad’s concerns over payroll discrepancies. Additionally, the KRG is collaborating with private banks to provide digital banking services, though there may be conflicts with the federal government’s Tawtin banking program.
eu-LISA Head Offers Update on Biometric Border System ‘Launching Nov 2024’
Marili Männik, the interim Executive Director of eu-LISA, provided an update on the European Union’s forthcoming biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), set to enhance border security across the Schengen Area. Addressing the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee, Männik described eu-LISA’s role in managing major EU information systems central to border management and internal security. She emphasized that the EES is a critical development, ensuring high standards in data protection and cybersecurity. Although some confusion has arisen over the launch date, the system is expected to be operational by autumn 2024. Männik also outlined eu-LISA’s broader priorities, including digitalization and security, as well as upcoming industry and leadership events.
Steak ‘n Shake Faces BIPA Lawsuit Over Self-serve Kiosks
Steak ‘n Shake is facing a lawsuit in Illinois federal court for allegedly violating the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Plaintiff Michael Massel claims the restaurant chain collected and stored customers’ facial biometrics through self-service kiosks without obtaining proper consent, as required by BIPA. The kiosks, introduced in 2024, use facial recognition for order processing and loyalty tracking. Massel’s suit seeks up to $5,000 per violation and the certification of a class action for Illinois customers affected in the past five years. This case comes after a recent BIPA amendment, which reduces liability by counting multiple collections of the same biometric data as a single violation, potentially impacting the outcome of such lawsuits.
Police Use of Facial Recognition Expands to Another UK County
For the first time, Hampshire police in the UK will deploy live facial recognition technology across four locations—Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke, and Winchester. The three-day trial, running from September 10 to 12, will capture video footage to compare against a watchlist of individuals wanted for “priority offences.” If a match is detected, authorities will engage the individual. Non-matching data will be automatically deleted, with officers available to address public concerns. This move reflects a broader trend in the UK, where police forces are increasingly using facial recognition to identify suspects, despite ongoing concerns from civil liberties groups over privacy and racial bias.
Mastercard and Smile ID Partner to Streamline Merchant Onboarding Across Africa
Mastercard has partnered with Smile ID, an African digital Know Your Customer (KYC) provider, to streamline merchant onboarding across over 50 African countries, including South Africa and Nigeria. By integrating Smile ID’s digital verification technology into Mastercard’s Merchant Digital Onboarding Program (MDOP), the partnership aims to reduce onboarding time to under three minutes for acquiring banks, mobile network operators, and payment facilitators. Smile ID’s solutions, such as ID document verification and biometric face authentication, will help ensure faster and more secure onboarding. The collaboration seeks to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance security for small and medium-sized businesses in accepting digital payments.
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September 9, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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