Biometric developer Identy.io has partnered with child safety platform My Family ID to integrate touchless fingerprint scanning into the mobile app’s identification features. The update allows parents to capture fingerprint data using only a smartphone camera, removing the need for external hardware or participation in live-scan events.
According to the companies, the captured prints are formatted to meet standards used by Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS), enabling families to share records with law enforcement if necessary. All biometric data is processed and stored locally on the user’s device, and the app does not automatically transmit fingerprints to external databases.
Charles Still, founder of My Family ID, said the system is intended to address limitations in traditional child ID methods. “Prior to the advent of touchless fingerprint scanning, families were limited to pop-up events and take-home paper records that could easily be misplaced if they wanted to ID their child,” he said in a joint statement.
The fingerprinting function is expected to be added to the My Family ID mobile app, which already includes facial recognition features. The app is offered through a one-time payment model without a subscription, and the fingerprint capability does not require any additional hardware. A public launch date for the new feature has not been confirmed.
The companies cite guidance from the FBI and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) that encourages fingerprinting as a tool to assist in locating missing children. However, the app-based approach differs from established practices in which fingerprints are collected by schools, civic organizations, or law enforcement using certified live-scan equipment.
Privacy advocates have previously raised concerns about consumer-facing biometric applications, particularly those involving minors. While local data storage can mitigate risks, the use of commercial apps to collect and store biometric identifiers has prompted ongoing debate around consent, security, and interoperability with official systems.
Sources: 01net, Morningstar, Benzinga
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By Ali Nassar-Smith
