UK Authorities Grapple With Biometrics and Beyoncé Security – 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:

UK’s Biometrics Commissioner Questions Legal Changes

The United Kingdom’s Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Fraser Sampson, is questioning why the government’s new Data Protection and Digital Information Bill is “in the process of scrapping” the country’s Surveillance Camera Code, which Sampson describes as “the only legal instrument to address the police use of live facial recognition directly.” In a written commentary due to be published on his office’s website, Sampson asserts that such technology is too useful a tool to be ignored by police, but must be implemented with appropriate oversight and safeguards.

Policing Minister Wants Biometric Body Cameras

Chris Philp, the UK’s Minister for Policing, is pushing for the integration of facial recognition into police officers’ body worn cameras. The technology was discussed at a government-organized meeting last month. Commenting on the possibility, Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner Sampson said the technology “will be capable of doing many things, not all of which the public would want,” adding that “Orwellian concerns” about it must be addressed in regulatory frameworks.

South Wales Police to Secure Beyonce Show With Live Facial Recognition

The South Wales Police will use facial recognition in policing efforts to secure an upcoming Beyoncé concert at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The police force had been a relatively early adopter of biometric security surveillance for major public events, but shied from the technology due to a backlash from privacy and civil rights groups, as well as a legal challenge. The police force recently recommitted to the use of the technology after a study by the UK’s National Physical Laboratory determined that its practices did not discriminate on the basis of demographics like gender and race.

Biometric Boarding Trialed at Berlin Brandenburg Airport

Authorities at Germany’s Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) have teamed up with Lufthansa Airlines to pilot a face-based biometric boarding system. Initially available only to members of Lufthansa loyalty programs, the new “BER Traveller” system is enabled through a dedicated screening lane at the airport. Interested travelers are invited to register their face biometrics through a mobile app called “FastID”. Following a successful pilot, authorities plan to implement biometric self-service kiosks and a lounge access system.

Saudi Arabia Announces New Visa Biometrics Requirement

Saudi Arabia is now requiring visa applicants from India to submit biometric data. They must do so in person at an authorized office, and the new requirement is expected to cause delays in visa processing, thanks in part to a large number of applications.

Moderna Security Chief to Advise Alcatraz AI

Dean Geribo, the head of security for Moderna, has now joined the advisory board of Alcatraz AI. Alcatraz, meanwhile, is providing biometric security for Moderna, in the form of its flagship facial recognition system, The Rock. Moderna is piloting the solution for access control, and is expected to proceed with a wider rollout across its facilities in the coming months. Read our full story.

Ōura Teams With Insurer John Hancock

Ōura has partnered with John Hancock, one of the largest life insurance companies operating in the United States, allowing the insurer to leverage its biometric smart ring in a healthy living incentive program called John Hancock Vitality. In a statement announcing the partnership, the companies explained that eligible John Hancock Vitality customers who have an Oura Ring and Oura Membership will be able to “earn rewards for healthy sleep and mindfulness practices”. Yet the companies also insist that “John Hancock will not receive any individual health data or metrics from Ōura.”

IDEX Gets a Fourth Turkey Partner

IDEX Biometrics has partnered with a fourth Turkey-based card issuer, describing it as a “fast growing bank challenger” with a roster of over 10 million customers. The news follows on the heels of IDEX’s announcement last week of its third Turkish partner. Chief Commercial Officer Catharina Eklof says the partnerships as supporting an “unprecedented pace of acceleration of the biometric smart card market.” IDEX’s latest partner is expected to start deliver fingerprint-scanning payment cards to clients in the first quarter of next year.

Megamatcher IDMS Consolidates Neurotechnology Solutions

Neurotechnology has consolidated its various biometric solutions under a single new product called the “MegaMatcher Identity Management System”, or “IDMS”. Supporting the collection of fingerprints, palmprints, and face and iris biometrics, the platform can be used across a range of applications including national ID programs, voter management, border control, and law enforcement, among others. Neurotechnology’s fingerprint recognition algorithm recently reclaimed the top ranking for accuracy in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Proprietary Fingerprint Template III (“PFT III”) evaluation.

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May 16, 2023 – by Alex Perala