Welcome to FindBiometrics' digest of identity industry news. Here's what you need to know about today's world of digital ID and biometrics.
Judge OK, BIPA class action lawsuit against Amazon
A federal court has ruled that users of the virtual try-on feature on Amazon's mobile app can pursue a lawsuit against the company as a class. Amazon is accused of violating Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act by collecting biometric data from users through its virtual try-on tool. Plaintiffs Tanya Svoboda and Antonella Colosi allege that the company failed to obtain written consent and failed to make the appropriate disclosures required under BIPA.
FTC rejects COPPA facial age estimation
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has denied an application by the Entertainment Software Review Board, Yoti, and SuperAwesome seeking a new way to obtain parental consent under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Regulation (COPPA). The proposed method “Privacy Preserving Facial Age Estimation” aimed to use facial shape analysis to confirm the presence of adults for consent purposes. This decision was made after considering more than 350 public comments, and the FTC unanimously (4-0) rejected the application without prejudice and considered possible future applications. The FTC's decision reflects a cautious approach to new age verification technologies and highlights the need for more information to fully assess the impact of such methods on privacy and security under COPPA.
World Rugby begins use of biometric mouthguards
World Rugby has introduced smart mouthguards into its head injury assessment protocols, marking a major breakthrough in the sport's approach to concussion management. The smart mouth guard developed by Prevent Biometrics is equipped with a sensor that monitors head impacts in real time. The system is set at specific thresholds to ensure that no critical impact is missed, while also preventing medical staff from being overwhelmed with alerts. This work will not only help with the immediate management of potential concussions, but will also contribute to a larger pool of data that could help improve future safety protocols and equipment in rugby and potentially other contact sports. Masu.
Drought stalls Zambia's biometric digital ID project
A record drought in southern Africa has caused the Zambian government to put its biometric digital ID project on hold. Zambia's Integrated Citizen Registration Information System (INRIS) is a government initiative that aims to replace the existing paper-based system with a centralized database containing citizens' biometric information. INRIS promises a more efficient and secure way to manage civil registration, including birth and death certificates, while reducing fraud in areas such as voter registration. Launched in 2022, more than 1 million Zambians have registered so far. However, Zambia's Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security has announced that the need to address the drought will require the redirection of funds that would otherwise support INRIS, which is expected to cost around $80 million. He said there was.
GSI launches high-capacity, low-power server solution
GSI Technology has released two new high-capacity, low-power server products that incorporate Gemini-I Associative Processing Units (APUs). APUs are designed for compute-in-memory applications, a computing architecture where processing operations are performed directly within a memory unit, reducing the need to transfer data between separate memory and processor components, increasing speed and Increase efficiency. Their high capacity and low power consumption make these systems particularly suitable for applications that require extensive database searches and high-performance computation, such as facial recognition and drug discovery. The efficiency and compact size of these servers also make them ideal for mobile and remote applications, expanding the potential use cases of GSI's APU technology.
Keeper Security introduces passkeys to mobile platforms
Keeper Security announces support for passkey management on iOS and Android devices, enhancing its cloud-based Zero Trust and Zero Knowledge security software. This addition allows you to create, store, and manage passkeys within Keeper Vault, making it easier to log in to websites and applications without passwords across a variety of browsers and operating systems. Passkeys use cryptographic keys for authentication and unlock devices, as well as leveraging the device's biometric capabilities, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, to authenticate users. First introduced as a browser extension in 2023, Keeper's passkey support has now been extended to mobile platforms as well.
Smart mailbox startup adopts manual biometric authentication
Arrive, which provides smart mailbox platforms including robots and drones, has partnered with nVIAsoft to integrate hand-based biometric technology. nVIAsoft's Verihand uses non-contact sensors to analyze vein patterns on a user's hand, providing a highly accurate and secure method of identity verification. This integration enhances Arrive's secure package delivery chain of custody, ensuring that sensitive items (such as pharmaceuticals) only reach their intended recipients. nVIAsoft's technology outperforms traditional biometric solutions in accuracy due to the large number of reference points it captures from across the hand.
ATB Ventures partners with Alberta government on digital ID
ATB Ventures has established a formal partnership with the Government of Alberta, marking the latest sign that its Oliu solution will play a key role in Canada's digital identity landscape. The partnership with the Government of Alberta will allow Oliu to more easily authenticate users with Alberta.ca accounts, a digital government services program first launched in 2015. Organizations using Oliu will now be able to offer their customers the option to verify their identity by signing in. You can access your Alberta.ca account without having to share any personal information. Read the full story at Mobile ID World.
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April 2, 2024 – Alex Perala and the FindBiometrics Editorial Team
