Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
Apple Faces Two Lawsuits Over Biometric Patent Infringement
Apple is facing two lawsuits for patent infringement. The newest complaint has been filed by Proxense, a firm that had previously sued Samsung for patent infringement, resulting in a settlement in early 2023. Proxense claims that Apple devices that scan end users’ faces, fingerprints, and irises violate six of its patents covering biometric authentication. The other lawsuit is somewhat older, filed by Carbyne Biometrics and alleging that Apple’s biometric authentication and anti-fraud systems used in Apple Cash and its devices’ Secure Enclaves violate its own intellectual property holdings. Apple had tried to have the case transferred from Texas to California. This week, a Federal Circuit judge ruled that Apple will have to face the complaint in Texas.
Fortnite Maker Sued for Privacy Violations
A new lawsuit in California alleges that Fortnite, a popular video game, collects personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. This data, allegedly including screen names, location, and biometric data, is said to be used for targeted advertising and to develop merchandise aimed at younger players. The lawsuit also claims children are exposed to inappropriate interactions in chat rooms. Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, denies these allegations and says it has strong privacy settings enabled by default for users under 18. This lawsuit follows previous settlements by Epic Games in 2022 and 2023 for similar violations of children’s privacy laws.
Authorities Consider Reactivation of Buenos Aires’ FRT Surveillance
Buenos Aires’ controversial facial recognition surveillance project, dubbed “Big Brother”, is facing renewed scrutiny as authorities attempt to reactivate the system. The Fugitive Facial Recognition System (SRFP), originally introduced in 2019, was suspended in 2022 by a court ruling that cited system inaccuracies, abuse allegations targeting protestors and human rights activists, and lack of compliance with privacy laws. Despite the court mandate for an agreement and audit before reintroduction, the system remains problematic. Rights groups highlight the system’s documented errors leading to wrongful arrests and its potential for broader privacy violations, especially given the government’s proposal to use it for suppressing dissent.
Biometric Voter Registration Devices Disappear in Ghana
There is mounting concern in Ghana over the disappearance of seven biometric devices intended for voter registration and authentication by Ghana’s Electoral Commission. Parliament Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson has urged police to issue an immediate statement detailing the progress of their investigation thus far. There is speculation that these devices could be used to tamper with upcoming elections if not recovered.
BioCatch Teams Up With Google Cloud
BioCatch has announced a partnership with Google Cloud to extend the reach of its fraud-prevention platform, especially in Southeast Asia. BioCatch, known for its behavioral biometrics technology, aims to help financial institutions combat sophisticated digital crimes such as authorized push payment attacks, which are prevalent in the region. The company’s technology analyzes over 3,000 behavior patterns, including mouse movements and typing speeds, to identify fraudulent activity. The Google Cloud collaboration is expected to be particularly significant in areas like Indonesia, where adherence to local data sovereignty laws is crucial.
Luxand.cloud Launches Biometric Sign-In System
Virginia-based Luxand.cloud has launched a biometric attendance system that uses facial recognition to facilitate the check-in process for various groups, including employees, students, and gym members. The system aims to replace physical badges and manual sign-in methods with a contactless approach, potentially improving efficiency in tracking attendance. It is equipped with a management dashboard, offering features like real-time occupancy monitoring, detailed entry and exit logs, and the ability to receive notifications for specific individual movements.
Trust Stamp Enters Age Assurance Market
Trust Stamp has entered into the age assurance market, announcing a new “Age Estimation” solution that can be operated through a standard smartphone camera. The solution is, of course, based on face biometrics, prompting an end user to conduct a simple face scan using their mobile device. In a blog post announcing Trust Stamp Age Estimation, the company highlighted a few key application areas, including social media, online gaming, and e-commerce for age-restricted goods, such as alcohol. The company has not disclosed metrics concerning the accuracy of its age estimation technology, however. Its blog post asserts that its “AI-driven solution estimates a user’s age with unparalleled accuracy”. Read the full story on Mobile ID World.
Mitek Reports Record Revenue Growth
Mitek Systems has reported record revenue and profitability growth for the 2023 fiscal year, with a notable 19 percent increase in total revenue, reaching $172.6 million, and significant improvements in both GAAP and Non-GAAP financial metrics. Despite a slight dip in quarterly revenue towards the year’s end, Mitek’s annual performance benefited from strong product innovation and strategic market positioning, particularly in digital identity and fraud prevention. Looking forward, Mitek anticipates continued growth in fiscal 2024, projecting revenues between $180.0 million and $185.0 million, which represents an adjusted growth rate of approximately 12 percent when accounting for unique contract terms from the previous fiscal year.
Vietnamese Insurer Opts for CyberLink IDV Solution
Generali Vietnam Life Insurance Company is using CyberLink’s FaceMe facial recognition technology to verify the identities of both new and existing policyholders using its GenVita customer onboarding service. FaceMe is an eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) system that uses facial recognition to ensure the security of transactions, personal information and insurance contracts. It was chosen for its high accuracy and anti-spoofing technology, meeting the security requirements for online financial transactions. The integration of FaceMe into the GenVita platform is in line with Generali’s “Transparent Insurance” strategy.
New Consortium to Push SSI
The NFID Foundation, a new non-profit consortium focused on advancing Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) within the security industry, has announced its official launch, slated for April 2, 2024. The initiative is backed by a diverse group of founding members from various sectors such as semiconductor, biometrics, and lock manufacturing, aiming to transform digital identity management in the security sector. Its formal announcement named PassiveBolt CEO Kabir Maiga as the NFID Foundation’s founder. LEGIC, PDQ, TECH5, and ZKTeco USA are also founding members of the group. Read the full story on Mobile ID World.
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March 20, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis
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