U.S., Tech Firms Warn Against Internet Monitor’s Privacy Tightening
(WSJ, Mar 15, 2018)
A global body that oversees internet domain names (ICANN) is preparing a significant tightening of its privacy standards in response to new European Union policies.
The U.S. government and some major American tech businesses warn the move, which is expected to be adopted within the next couple of months, will threaten their ability to track down bad actors on the internet.
Former Equifax Executive Charged with Illegally Trading Before Massive Data Breach Was Made Public
(Washington Post, Mar 14, 2018)
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged a former Equifax executive with insider trading, alleging that he profited from confidential information about the massive breach at the company that compromised sensitive data of 148 million people.
Pentagon Wants Silicon Valley’s Help on A.I.
(New York Times, Mar 15, 2018)
There is little doubt that the Defense Department needs help from Silicon Valley’s biggest companies as it pursues work on artificial intelligence. The question is whether the people who work at those companies are willing to cooperate.
On Thursday, Robert O. Work, a former deputy secretary of defense, will announce that he is teaming up with the Center for a New American Security, an influential Washington think tank that specializes in national security, to create a task force of former government officials, academics and representatives from private industry. Their goal is to explore how the federal government should embrace A.I. technology and work better with big tech companies and other organizations.
Neurophysiologist Finds New Form of Biometrics in the Palm of His Hand
(Techworld, Mar 14, 2018)
europhysiologist Martin Zizi claims to have invented a new form of biometric technology that is nearly impossible to spoof, crack or hack.
The system uses the human nervous system as its method of authentication, which transmits signals from the brain to the hand to the sensors on smartphones
About Face: Court Finds Biometric Information Creates Unique Privacy Rights
(JDSupra, Mar 13, 2018)
Just two months after an Illinois appellate court dismissed a similar complaint alleging a violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), a California federal court found that a claim asserted under BIPA for an alleged violation of a right to privacy—even without any independent injury or concrete harm—was sufficient to confer Article III standing.
Former Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge: Why Body Recognition Tech Will Restore Trust in Society
(CNBC, Mar 13, 2018)
As we pause to recognize the 15th anniversary of DHS, you can see how those early investments in biometrics continue to make an impact today. Programs such as Global Entry and TSA PreCheck rely on biometrics to make travel more convenient and secure for frequent flyers. But that just scratches the surface of how biometrics – our unique body characteristics – will change our lives for the better.
Fun Fact of the Day: Voice Recognition Tech Is Naturally Sexist
(The Register, Mar 14, 2018)
Voice recognition systems are sexist: they struggle to deal with female voices compared to male ones.
Machine learning and AI could make the problem worse
TSA Sued Over Electronic Devices Screenings
(Nextgov, Mar 13, 2018)
The Transportation Security Administration began a stricter screening process for domestic travelers' electronic devices last year. The American Civil Liberties Union feels that the agency did not give enough information about why and how this decision was made, Engadget reported. So, the legal organization filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit Monday, hoping to gain more information about the TSA's procedures and intent.
Aviation CEOs Say Biometrics Are Key to Managing Capacity Constraints
(Apex, Mar 12, 2018)
During last week’s A4E Aviation Summit, airline CEOs and other leaders in the travel industry discussed a looming capacity crunch facing airlines in Europe and around the globe as passenger numbers increase. Broader adoption of biometrics can reduce passenger processing times and make growth manageable.
