The Army’s AI Testing, a Worldcoin Rival, and More

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

U.S. Army Tests Computer Vision Security System

The U.S. Army is testing a new AI-powered security system at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky. The system uses real-time video analytics to detect objects, people, and activities including weapons, intruders, fires, and even slips and falls. It can also recognize faces and learn behavior patterns to identify anomalies. The system is designed to integrate with existing security cameras and provide faster response times for security personnel. Early tests show high accuracy rates in detecting threats with minimal false alarms.

China’s Internet Regulator Calls Out Excessive Face Data Collection

China’s internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), is cracking down on what it deems the excessive collection of personal information during online shopping, and specifically calling out facial recognition as an unnecessary data collection method. New regulations coming into effect on July 1st will require online businesses to avoid collecting customer data not directly related to the transaction. The move highlights China’s focus on protecting consumer privacy through its Personal Information Protection Law.

Amadeus Completes Vision-Box Acquisition

Amadeus has successfully completed its acquisition of Vision-Box. The acquisition has received all necessary regulatory approvals, and marks a significant expansion of Amadeus’s capabilities in the airport biometrics space. Vision-Box, known for its substantial footprint in the travel industry, brings to Amadeus a wealth of expertise and a team of 470 employees, including its Founder and CEO, Miguel Leitmann, who will now serve under Amadeus’s Travel division. The merger is set to enrich Amadeus’s portfolio, offering a more integrated traveler experience that spans from booking to boarding, including streamlined airport and border control procedures. The acquisition deal is valued at approximately €320 million, and Amadeus describes Vision-Box as “a fast-growing global business with expected revenues of €70 million, and an estimated normalized EBITDA of close to €20 million in 2023”.

IDEMIA to Deliver Ambitious ID System for Nigeria

IDEMIA Smart Identity has reaffirmed its partnership with Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to upgrade the country’s national biometric identification infrastructure, aiming to support a database of 250 million records. Backed by the World Bank’s ID4D program, the effort is expected to position Nigeria’s system among the world’s leading biometric systems, rivaled only by India’s Aadhaar. The upgraded system will feature advanced biometric matching capabilities, capable of handling up to 1 million identity verification searches daily, ensuring each Nigerian citizen has a unique identity within the civil database. This significant expansion from the initial capacity of 100 million records is geared towards accommodating Nigeria’s growing population and aligning with the United Nations’ 2030 sustainable development goal of legal identity for all.

X Rolls Out Global iOS Support for Passkeys

X (formerly known as Twitter) has expanded the availability of its passkey login feature to users worldwide, after initially launching it for iOS users in the US. The development was announced via X’s official Safety account, which emphasized the enhanced security benefits of passkeys. A product of collaboration among industry giants including the FIDO Alliance, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, passkeys allow for more secure login methods such as facial recognition and biometric verification, bypassing the need for traditional passwords. This move comes after X advised users to seek alternative two-factor authentication methods following the removal of SMS 2FA support, suggesting apps like 1Password, iCloud Keychain, or Google Authenticator for those not opting for X Premium.

aiNTEL Announces New Cybersecurity Platform

aiNTEL has launched its eponymous new cybersecurity platform. Notable for its support for advanced features such as facial recognition, the platform uses AI to conduct thorough background checks and provide decision intelligence. It aggregates data from a wide array of sources, including public websites, social media, and even the dark web, to compile detailed profiles on individuals and entities. This capability is particularly beneficial for private sector companies engaged in due diligence, investment monitoring, and compliance activities. aiNTEL’s technology stack, which also includes ‘fuzzy’ name matching and deep neural networks, is meant to aid companies in managing their reputational and compliance risks more effectively.

Huawei Door Lock Uses 3D Facial Recognition

Huawei’s new Smart Door Lock Plus uses AI 3D face recognition with a self-developed chip to unlock doors in 1.65 seconds. The lock learns faces over time and includes a 3D depth camera for accurate recognition in all lighting conditions. It boasts security features like AI detection to thwart attempts using photos or videos. The Smart Door Lock Plus integrates with Huawei’s HarmonyOS 4.0, offering a visual peephole, picture-in-picture viewing, voice memo recording, and costs 3299 yuan (around $500 USD), but is currently discounted during pre-order.

Indian Firm’s Remote Proctoring Solution Supports Face Scanning, Behavioral Analysis

Mumbai-based ExamOnline has announced a new online remote proctoring platform designed to administer and deliver exams remotely, and featuring AI-powered proctoring that includes facial recognition, behavioral analysis, and environmental scanning to detect and prevent cheating. The system is intended for use by educational institutions, certification bodies, and businesses, aiming to provide a secure and scalable solution for conducting exams without the need for human proctors. The platform supports multiple languages and offers features such as 360° dual camera feeds, a secure browser, screen sharing, and full recording of both the candidate and their screen to ensure exam integrity.

Another Worldcoin Rival Enters the Arena

TON Society has announced a collaboration with HumanCode aimed at enhancing digital identity security in the Web3 space through palm-scanning technology. Announced at Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2024, the partnership is aimed at providing TON ecosystem users a secure method to verify their digital identities while maintaining privacy. The organizations are not alone in seeking to build a privacy-focused, decentralized digital ID platform that leverages biometrics to verify that each user is a unique human. Read the full story on Mobile ID World.

Australian State to Roll Out MDLs Next Month

The state of Victoria will introduce a digital driver’s license next month, making it the fourth region in Australia to offer such an option. The digital license, accessible via the myVicRoads or Service Victoria apps, will initially be available to full license holders, with learner and probationary drivers to follow in 2025. The news follows a six-month trial that involved about 15,000 residents of Ballarat, a city in Victoria’s Central Highlands. The trial invited participants to try using their mobile ID when making age-restricted retail purchases and when interacting with state bodies like the Victoria Police and Australia Post. Read the full story on Mobile ID World.

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April 9, 2024 – by Alex Perala and Tony Bitzionis