Welcome to ID Tech’s digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
EU Biometric Border Systems Delayed Until 2025
The Schengen zone’s biometric Entry-Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) have been delayed until 2025 due to logistical and readiness challenges. The EES will record biometric and travel data for short-stay travelers, while ETIAS requires pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors at a cost of €7. Originally scheduled for 2021, both systems have faced repeated delays, with member states like France, Germany, and the Netherlands unprepared for implementation by September 2024. The European Commission is considering a phased rollout to provide adjustment periods for authorities and travelers. Biometric checks under these systems may take up to four times longer than current processes, raising concerns about potential disruptions.
U.S. Senators Demand Investigation into TSA’s Facial Recognition Expansion at Airports
A bipartisan group of 12 U.S. senators has requested an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General into the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) use of facial recognition technology at airports. The senators raised concerns about privacy, oversight, and the potential creation of a large federal surveillance database without Congressional authorization. The letter highlighted issues such as inconsistent handling of passengers who opt out, potential coercion, and insufficient safeguards for biometric data storage and deletion. The TSA plans to expand facial recognition technology to over 400 airports, potentially affecting millions of travelers.
DHS Issues RFI for AWS-Based Latent Fingerprint System
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a latent fingerprint system under the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM). The system will operate on AWS GovCloud West Region and support two fingerprint galleries, one containing 30 million identities growing by 3 million annually, and another with 300 million identities expanding by 18 million annually. Performance requirements include 100 latent searches per hour with response times of under 600 seconds or 60 minutes. Vendors must address algorithm updates, interoperability, and system migration strategies. Responses are due by January 10, 2025.
Oura Reaches $5B Valuation Amid Strategic Expansion and Technological Growth
Oura has achieved a $5 billion valuation following a recent funding round, representing over a 50 percent increase since 2022. This growth reflects its profitability and projected 2024 revenue of $500 million, even amid a downturn in digital health venture capital. A $75 million partnership with Dexcom will add glucose monitoring to the Oura Ring, complementing its existing biometric tracking capabilities such as heart rate monitoring and sleep analysis. The company also secured a $96 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense for providing rings and analytics services. Its acquisition of Sparta Science aims to enhance enterprise offerings like Oura Teams. The Oura Ring 4’s enhanced sensors and features like Smart Sensing algorithms further reinforce its appeal in the wearable health technology market.
BGSU Becomes First U.S. University to Use Mobile IDs for Age Verification at Athletic Events
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) has become the first university in the United States to accept mobile IDs for age verification at athletic events. This includes the use of mobile driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs stored in digital wallets like Apple Wallet. The initiative targets age verification for alcohol purchases at events, aiming to streamline operations and ensure regulatory compliance. BGSU emphasizes the secure and private nature of the system as an alternative to physical identification. The implementation builds on advances in digital identity verification technologies and aligns with the university’s broader efforts to modernize event operations.
KGeN Secures $10M to Enhance Digital Identity Control in Gaming
KGeN, formerly Kratos Gamer Network, has secured $10 million in funding to enhance digital identity control for gamers. The funding will support KGeN’s initiative to allow gamers greater control over their data within the gaming ecosystem. The funding round included investors such as Accel and Prosus Ventures, with the latter building on its recent investments in identity verification technologies. This initiative comes amid growing global regulatory scrutiny of digital identity and data privacy practices. KGeN aims to create a more transparent and secure gaming environment by focusing on user-controlled data management and expanding its platform to prioritize a decentralized gaming economy.
Colorado Expands Digital ID Options with Samsung Wallet Integration
Colorado has integrated Samsung Wallet into its digital identification system, allowing residents to store driver’s licenses and state ID cards digitally. Users with Samsung devices can add IDs to the wallet and verify their identity by tapping or scanning a QR code through the app. This digital ID is accepted at select TSA checkpoints, including Denver International Airport. The feature is supported by biometric verification and anti-spoofing measures to ensure security. Residents can also manage digital IDs through the myColorado app, which provides additional digital services for state-issued identification.
Kuwait Achieves 98 Percent Biometric Fingerprinting Compliance Among Citizens
Kuwait has reached a 98 percent compliance rate in its national biometric fingerprinting initiative, with 20,085 citizens yet to complete the process as of November 21, 2024. Expatriates residing in Kuwait have an 87 percent compliance rate. The system has already helped authorities apprehend individuals wanted for crimes, highlighting its use in security operations. Kuwait’s Civil Service Commission has also implemented biometric attendance tracking for government employees, reflecting the broader adoption of biometric technology to enhance administrative processes and security measures.
Dock, Daon Team Up on IDV
Dock has partnered with Daon to integrate Dock’s Decentralized ID technology with Daon’s digital identity platform, creating reusable credentials for secure and streamlined identity verification. Daon, established in 2000, provides biometric authentication solutions through its IdentityX platform, used by financial institutions globally. The partnership enables consolidation of verified data from sources like digital IDs and bank credentials into biometrically secured verifiable credentials. The collaboration also explores use cases such as mobile driver’s licenses and compliance with the European eIDAS framework.
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November 22 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala
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