This Week’s Top Stories: Facial Recognition in China and Biometric Immigration Policy in Canada

In this week’s roundup of the top FindBiometrics stories, we take a closer look at the different approaches to biometric technology in Canada and the United States. Other topics include health passports, digital onboarding, and facial recognition controversies in China.

Up first, the Canadian government has issued a Request for Information as it looks to update the biometric identification system that it uses to screen immigrants and other foreign nationals. The RFI indicates that the government is looking to engage in a dialogue with stakeholders, and develop a system that will protect the civil liberties of Canadians. That approach stands in contrast to that of the US government, which tends to search for specific solutions without considering the moral or ethical implications of the technology:

Border Agency’s RFI Shows Contrast Between Canadian, American Approaches

In other news, CLEAR is now offering Health Pass service on all flights to Hawaii from the US mainland. Health Pass is an immunity credential that links someone’s digital identity to their vaccination record and their COVID-19 test results. Travelers can then use the app to prove their health status and skip the mandatory 10-day quarantine when they go to the islands:

Hawaii Extends CLEAR Health Pass Screening to All Incoming Flights from Mainland US

Our next two stories come from China, and involve controversial uses of facial recognition technology. In one case, the gaming giant Tencent has announced that it will be using facial recognition to enforce curfews for minors playing mobile games. Those under the age of 18 are currently not allowed to play games between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., and facial recognition will prevent them from logging in to a parent’s account to get around that law:

Tencent Uses Facial Recognition to Limit Kids’ Video Game Time in China

The other story concerns DeepGlint, which is the latest Chinese facial recognition provider to be added to a blacklist in the United States. As has been the case with other providers, DeepGlint is facing sanctions for its alleged involvement in surveillance programs in the Xinjiang, where China is reportedly using facial recognition to monitor the local Uyghur population. The blacklisting will prevent DeepGlint from working with American businesses:

DeepGlint is Latest Chinese Facial Recognition Firm Added to US Blacklist

Finally, Socure has unveiled a new version of its identity verification platform that is designed specifically for the Buy Now, Pay Later industry. The solution will help with onboarding, and is expected to boost conversion rates while mitigating the threat of fraud:

Socure Launches Identity Solution for Buy Now, Pay Later Providers

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Keep reading FindBiometrics to stay up to date with the latest developments from the exciting world of biometrics. You can also visit our sibling site Mobile ID World to find out more about the world of digital identity.

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July 17, 2021 – by Eric Weiss