New FRT Training Tech, a Drought’s Disruption, 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:

Judge Okays BIPA Class Action Against Amazon

A federal court has ruled that users of a virtual try-on feature on Amazon’s mobile app can proceed as a class in a lawsuit against the company. Amazon is accused of violating Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act through its collection of users’ biometric data in the virtual try-on tool. Plaintiffs Tanya Svoboda and Antonella Colosi allege that the company failed to obtain written consent and to provide the proper disclosures required under BIPA.

FTC Rejects Facial Age Estimation for COPPA

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has rejected an application by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, Yoti, and SuperAwesome for a novel method of obtaining parental consent under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA). The proposed method, “Privacy-Protective Facial Age Estimation,” intended to use facial geometry analysis to verify an adult’s presence for consent purposes. This decision came after reviewing over 350 public comments, with the FTC voting unanimously (4-0) to deny the application without prejudice, allowing for the possibility of future submissions. The FTC’s decision reflects a cautious approach to new age verification technologies, emphasizing the need for further information to fully assess such methods’ implications for privacy and security under COPPA.

World Rugby Starts Playing With Biometric Mouthguards

World Rugby has introduced smart mouthguards into its Head Injury Assessment protocol, marking a significant advancement in the sport’s approach to concussion management. The smart mouthguards, developed by Prevent Biometrics, are equipped with sensors that monitor head impacts in real-time. The system is set to a specific threshold to prevent overwhelming medical staff with alerts while ensuring significant impacts are not overlooked. The initiative not only helps in the immediate management of potential concussions but also contributes to a larger pool of data that could inform future safety protocols and equipment improvements in rugby and potentially other contact sports.

Drought Stalls Zambia’s Biometric Digital ID Project

A record drought in Southern Africa has prompted the Zambian government to put a biometric digital ID project on hold. Zambia’s Integrated National Registration Information System (INRIS) is a government initiative that aims to replace the existing paper-based system with a centralized database containing citizens’ biometric information. INRIS promises a more efficient and secure way to manage civil registration, including birth and death certificates, while also reducing fraud in areas like voter registration. It got underway in 2022 and has so far seen over a million Zambians enrolled. But Zambia’s Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security says the need to address the drought has necessitated the redirection of funds that otherwise would have supported INRIS, which is expected to cost about $80 million.

GSI Launches High-Capacity, Low-Power Server Solutions

GSI Technology has released two new high-capacity, low-power server products incorporating its Gemini-I Associative Processing Unit (APU). The APU is designed for compute-in-memory applications, a computing architecture in which processing operations are performed directly within memory units, reducing the need to transfer data between separate memory and processor components, thereby enhancing speed and efficiency. These systems are particularly suited for applications requiring extensive database searches and high-performance computations, such as facial recognition and drug discovery, due to their high capacity and low power consumption. The efficiency and compact size of these servers also make them ideal for mobile or remote applications, extending the potential use cases for GSI’s APU technology.

Keeper Security Brings Passkeys to Mobile Platforms

Keeper Security has announced its support for passkey management on iOS and Android devices, enhancing its cloud-based zero-trust and zero-knowledge security software. This addition enables the creation, storage, and management of passkeys within the Keeper Vault, facilitating passwordless login to websites and applications across various browsers and operating systems. Passkeys, which utilize cryptographic keys for authentication, leverage a device’s biometric features like fingerprints or facial recognition for user verification, akin to unlocking a device. Initially introduced for browser extensions in 2023, Keeper’s support for passkeys now extends to mobile platforms.

Smart Mailbox Startup Embraces Hand-Based Biometrics

Arrive, a provider of a smart mailbox platform that includes robots and drones, is partnering with nVIAsoft to integrate its hand-based biometric technology. nVIAsoft’s “Verihand” uses a touchless sensor to analyze the vein patterns in a user’s hand, providing a highly accurate and secure method for identity verification. This integration will strengthen Arrive’s secure package delivery chain-of-custody process, ensuring that sensitive items (like pharmaceuticals) reach only their intended recipients. nVIAsoft’s technology surpasses conventional biometric solutions in accuracy due to the larger number of reference points it captures from the whole hand.

ATB Ventures Teams With Alberta Government on Digital ID

ATB Ventures has established an official partnership with the Government of Alberta, delivering the latest sign that its Oliu solution will play an important role in Canada’s digital ID landscape. The partnership with Alberta’s provincial government will enable Oliu to more easily verify users who have an Alberta.ca Account, a digital government services program first launched in 2015. Organizations using Oliu will be able to offer customers the option of confirming their identity by signing into their Alberta.ca Account, without the need to share their personal information. Read the full story on Mobile ID World.

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April 2, 2024 – by Alex Perala and the FindBiometrics Editorial Team