Irish FRT Scrutiny, a Big Background Check Deal, and More – Identity News Digest

Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:

Justice Committee Weighs in on Irish Bill for Police FRT

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, a policy advisory committee for Ireland’s national legislature, has delivered its report on legislation that would allow police to use live facial recognition technology. The committee advises that the police force – An Garda Síochána – as well as the Department of Justice should clearly spell out the purpose of the technology in policing. It also calls for the establishment of a “periodic, independent, judge-led review, of all use of biometric identification, based on legislatively defined operational criteria”. Irish authorities have rushed to empower police with more tools in the wake of violent riots in Dublin toward the end of last year.

Palm Vein Metro Access Tested in China

Metro authorities in China are testing a new biometric system for passengers at the Longyang Road Station and the Xingzhong Road Station. The system is based on palm vein scanning, and is being used to grant passenger access to certain lines in the subway stations. Biometric experimentation of this kind has been underway in the country for years: In 2019, for example, Shenzen Metro introduced a face-based fare payment system at the city’s Futian station, in collaboration with Huawei.

Pakistani Authorities Raid Mobile Shops Over Illegal SIM Registrations

Pakistani authorities have conducted additional raids on mobile phone shops where SIMs were allegedly being registered illegally. According to authorities from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, the raids of three shops in Hasan Abdal, Wah, and Rawalpindi resulted in the seizure of three Biometric Verification Systems, 748 silicon-based fake thumbprints, and the arrests of three individuals. The move follows raids conducted earlier this year as Pakistani authorities continue to crack down on the fraudulent registration of SIMs, which is tied to crime and terrorism.

Face-Scanning Vending Machine Prompts Privacy Investigation

A vending machine’s error message has led to two formal complaints being filed with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario in Canada. As FindBiometrics reported last month, students at the University of Waterloo were alarmed to find that the school vending machine’s error message had language indicating it uses face biometrics technology—a capability that was soon confirmed by the device manufacturer, Invenda. The province’s Privacy Commissioner has now acknowledged that formal investigations are underway, and University of Waterloo administrators are trying to get rid of the vending machines.

First Advantage to Buy Sterling Check for $2.2B

First Advantage will acquire rival background check specialist Sterling Check in a $2.2 billion deal. The agreement includes a $1.2 billion cash offer alongside 27.15 million shares of First Advantage common stock, with the deal expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Both companies are involved in biometrics: First Advantage launched a selfie-based identity verification solution called “RightID” in 2019, and Sterling Check has established partnerships with ID.me and Yoti, both of which specialize in similar technologies.

IBM Calls for Strong Deepfake Rules

IBM has publicly called for more stringent legislation and policing of deepfakes and other AI-generated media, and has publicly endorsed the “Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act”. At a press briefing, the company’s VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Chris Padilla, highlighted the threats that deepfake technology can pose to content creators, political actors, and to privacy rights in general. “We need regulations to protect elections, to protect creators and to protect people’s privacy,” he said.

IDEX, Accomplish Financial Announce ‘Accessible Payment’ Effort

IDEX Biometrics and its UK-based partner Accomplish Financial have announced an “accessible payment program” aimed primarily at the visually impaired, framing it as a response to the European Accessibility Act 2025, a new regulatory directive. The companies have not detailed how their planned solution will specifically serve the visually impaired, but suggested that it will be based on the IDEX Pay fingerprint-scanning payment card platform. Oslo-based IDEX and Accomplish first teamed up in late 2022, when they announced plans to launch a biometric card solution in the following quarter.

Jumio Brings KYC/AML Solution to NuxGame

NuxGame, a provider of online gambling software, has teamed up with Jumio to enhance security on its online casino platform. Known for its selfie-based onboarding technology, Jumio is helping NuxGame to adhere to robust Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering standards. “This partnership is more than a strategic move; it’s a step towards redefining what a responsible and seamless gaming experience looks like in the digital age,” NuxGame asserted in a blog post announcing the collaboration.

–

March 1, 2024 – by Alex Perala