Searching for Accountability in the US and Buenos Aires – 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:

GAO Once Again Scolds DHS for HART Troubles

The US Government Accountability Office has once again taken the Department of Homeland Security to task for delays and cost overruns in its program to upgrade its biometric identity management system. Dubbed “Biometric Identity System: DHS Needs to Address Significant Shortcomings in Program Management and Privacy”, the report notes, among other things, that the Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART) program’s cost increased by $354 million in a 2022 “rebaseline” of the project, and that it still doesn’t have a complete program schedule after multiple delays. The GAO was decrying the HART program’s labor cost accounting in July of this year.

Prosecutor Investigates Buenos Aires Facial Recognition Misuse

A national prosecutor in Argentina is investigating the Buenos Aires municipal government and the National Registry of Persons over suspected abuses of a facial recognition system that was suspended in April of 2022. The system was meant only to allow searches of wanted fugitives, but records show searches for politicians, activists and journalists; and it has led to at least 140 wrongful arrests since its launch in 2019. The investigation comes as leading presidential candidates such as Patricia Bullrich advocate for the police use of facial recognition. Bullrich herself has been subject to multiple search requests through the suspended facial recognition system.

Axiad Cloud Gets FedRAMP Ready

Axiad has obtained FedRAMP Ready status for its Axiad Cloud platform, which offers passwordless authentication tools on a modular basis. The certification comes by way of 3PAO, a third-party testing firm, which verified that Axiad Cloud meets baseline criteria for the standardized federal security solutions program. With the certification in place, Axiad Cloud is now listed on the FedRAMP Marketplace, and will move onto the next stage of the FedRAMP certification process, FedRAMP Authorization to Operate. Axiad joined the Ping Identity Integration Directory this past spring, shortly after appointing a new CFO.

Innovatrics’ SmartFace Gets Smarter

Innovatrics has upgraded its SmartFace facial recognition system with additional computer vision capabilities. The system can now extract data pertaining to a range of individual attributes including gender, age group, and clothing, with the latter encompassing logos, accessories, and other details. “This powerful feature opens doors to diverse real-world use cases, particularly in law enforcement and public safety,” the company asserted in a statement. Innovatrics announced a new SmartFace software development kit, the “SmartFace Embedded Toolkit“, earlier this year with the aim of brining its surveillance solution to more smart cameras and edge devices.

Yoti Develops Student ID for Northern Ireland Transit

Translink, the main public transportation provider for Northern Ireland, has launched a digital ID card for students to use as proof of age, developed by Yoti. Students aged 13 to 16 can download the app and register by scanning a QR code and entering their school email address, enabling them to easily prove their age when requesting the 50 percent base fare transit discount for students. “The Translink Travel U16 Youth ID card will make it even easier for young people to provide proof of age and benefit from cheaper travel, so we would encourage all 13-16 year olds to sign up and stay better connected to school and leisure activities,” said a Translink spokesperson.

iProov Teams With Cybernetica On MFA-Based Digital Identity Solution

iProov has partnered with Estonia-based Cybernetica on a digital identity solution based on multi-factor authentication. The solution will leverage iProov’s Biometric Solution Suite together with Cybernetica’s Splitkey, a cryptographic system for mobile transactions that is designed to secure legally binding e-signatures. The companies’ joint solution will be targeted at the government and financial services sectors in the EMEA, LATAM, and APAC regions. “We’re excited to get started and looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together,” said iProov’s Chief Product and Innovation Officer, Joe Palmer.

Apple Supplier Reports Consumer Demand Headwinds

UK-based IQE has reported a £5.7 million loss in Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2023 after a profitable Adjusted EBITDA of £12.3 million in the corresponding period last year, thanks in large part to reduced demand for smartphones and other electronics devices. IQE makes epi-wafers that support various functions including facial recognition on Apple’s iPhones. But the firm believes it will bounce back to core profitability this year, eyeing recoveries in ‘some wireless markets’ and a “”rebound on the data centre demands that is led by the growth of AI applications.”

‘Tinder Swindler’ Victim Helps BioCatch Spread Word About Romance Scams

BioCatch has organized a series of talks across Europe and in Dubai in collaboration with financial industry partners. The “Threat Talk Live” events will focus on fighting online fraud such as romance scams, and BioCatch has brought in a high-profile individual with personal experience in the latter. Ayleen Charlotte was the subject of the hit Netflix documentary “The Tinder Swindler”, and has joined the behavioral biometrics specialist as its Scams Advisor and Banking Customer Advocate. She will speak at events in Dubai, Frankfurt, Milan, and Zurich. Additional speakers will be featured in other events in the coming weeks in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Amsterdam.

Smile ID Launches ‘No-Code’ Onboarding Solution

Smile ID has launched a new “no-code” solution aimed at letting clients quickly implement custom-branded customer verification portals based on the company’s selfie-based identity verification platform. These “Smile Links” can be shared as a URL via email or WhatsApp, or embedded in an app. The Africa-focused startup, previously operating under the name “Smile Identity”, announced a $20 million Series B funding round in February of this year, boasting an accuracy rate of 99.8 percent for its “SmartSelfie” technology.

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September 13, 2023 – by Alex Perala