Truckers Take On BIPA: 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:

Trucking Association Says BIPA Hurts Road Safety

The Illinois Trucking Association is lobbying state lawmakers to amend the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), arguing that broad scope is making transport less safe. In prepared testimony, ITA Executive Director Matt Hart explained that trucking companies are now removing in-cab driver monitoring systems that are used to help ensure that truck drivers are alert and paying attention while driving, while others are cancelling plans to invest in such technologies, for fear of running afoul of BIPA and drawing a frivolous lawsuit. The ITA is among a coalition of organizations urging BIPA reform that includes the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Health Care Association, and the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, among others.

Indian Authorities Warned of Biometric ‘Cloning’

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a notice to state and territorial authorities warning that criminals are “cloning” the biometric data of individuals enrolled in the country’s Aadhaar national identity system in order to commit financial fraud, reports ThePrint. The outlet obtained a memo attributed to the MHA’s Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which said that the criminals had obtained the biometric data from online registries of real estate deeds, and that were using the data to commit fraudulent transactions through the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS). The memo was dated February 21—shortly before the Indian government’s announcement of a new liveness detection system for Aadhaar fingerprints.

Hikvision Cameras Found at More Sensitive Sites in UK

Hikvision cameras are in place at Sandringham estate, one of the King of England’s main residences, as well as facilities associated with five other government departments, according to a Mail on Sunday investigation. The ministries include the Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Energy Security and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. British authorities had banned the cameras from sensitive sites last fall over concerns about Hikvision’s support for facial recognition and its ties to the Chinese government, but cameras were also recently found at the country’s College of Police, with UK Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner Fraser Sampson calling the tech “digital asbestos”.

French MPs OK Social Media Age-gating

Members of France’s parliament have approved a bill that requires children under the age of 15 to obtain permission from their parents before signing up to prominent social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok. The bill passed through a nearly unanimous vote of 82-2, and will now be considered by the country’s senate. Questions remain about enforcement, but France’s Digital Minister recently told the National Assembly that the government was working on an age verification system that would rely on a trusted third party, such as a digital identity service provider.

Instagram’s Age Estimation Comes to Canada

Instagram’s age verification system has now come to Canada. Powered by Yoti, the system had previously been trialed in the UK, the UK, Brazil, and India. The system is aimed at ensuring that teens don’t pose as adults and to ensure that they have an “age-appropriate” experience while using the app. To that end, they are prompted to either upload a photo of government-issued ID, or take a video selfie that is run through Yoti’s age estimation technology.

FPC Tech Used in New Access Card

Fingerprint Cards technology is being used in a new access control card from India-based Ambimat Electronics. The AmbiSecure Biocard features an embedded FPC1323 fingerprint sensor, the same model at the center of Fingerprints’ card-focused partnership with Taiwan-based SmartDisplayer last November. “We see an increased demand for secure authentication solutions, and by collaborating with Ambimat Electronics, our biometric solution is now taking off for the Indian market,” said FPC’s President of Payment and Access, Michel Roig.

Korean Startup Showcases Dog Nose Recognition

A South Korea-based startup has developed a biometric dog nose recognition system aimed at helping to identify lost dogs. The company showcased its solution at Mobile World Congress, where a representative explained that Petnow is trying to get the Korean government to replace a chip implant program for pets with its contactless AI solution. Petnow also has a facial recognition system for cats, whose faces are thought to be too small for accurate nose biometrics.

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March 6, 2023 – by Alex Perala

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