Why Biometrics Is The New Frontier of Public and Digital Safety
(Gov Insider, Jun 20, 2022)
One of the earliest films to feature biometrics is Star Trek. People have to scan their retinas to access files or use their voices to activate the starship in that fantasy world. While movie lovers might have been awed by the futuristic tech that only existed in imaginary worlds, it is now a reality. Biometrics is everywhere in our lives—from unlocking our phones to getting past immigration control. In a post-pandemic era with new health and security threats, how can we use biometrics to protect our public and digital safety? Walter Lee, the Head of Public Safety Consulting at NEC, shares how biometrics can keep us safe in both the physical and online world.
Jamaica, Greece Advancing Digital ID Plans With Biometrics Capture Pilot, Digital Wallet
(Biometric Update, Jun 20, 2022)
Jamaica, Greece, Pakistan, Serbia and Turkey have all either entered or are planning to enter new phases of their respective digital identity rollout programs. While Jamaica says citizens of the diaspora will be factored into its new national ID card (NIDS) scheme, for which a pilot for biometrics capture is expected in August, Greek authorities say the rollout of a wallet for digital ID credentials will begin by the end of July. In Pakistan, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has completed an upgraded center for the production of smart cards with the goal of meeting international standards, while Serbia and Turkey are set to seal a deal which will see citizens of both countries travel to the other side with only a valid national ID card, instead of a visa.
Brazilian Facial Recognition Ruling Can Set An Important Precedent for Country-Wide Use
(Global Voices, Jun 20, 2022)
Every day, nearly 5 million people use São Paulo's metro system. Every one of their faces may have been recorded in a facial recognition system that has been in use since early 2020. In a March 23 decision, a São Paulo State court ordered the Metro company to stop using the technology. The Metro appealed the decision, claiming its monitoring system “rigorously obeys the General Law on Data Protection,” but the argument was rejected by the same court in mid-April. The decision is considered a win for a group of civil society entities who filed the public civil lawsuit to stop this data collection, something they deem unconstitutional and out of step with Brazil's legal framework on digital civil rights. At the beginning of March 2022, this group filed a civil public lawsuit against the São Paulo State Metro, demanding that they interrupt this data collection and pay compensation for collective moral damages of at least BRL 42 million (around USD 8.5 million).
Consumers warned about sneaky WiFi tracing technique used by companies to track movements
(Daily Telegraph, Jun 20, 2022)
Stores, like Nordstrom in the United States – the focus of a bombshell New York Times article – can set up sensors in physical stores that return exact information on consumer behaviour. Mr Jabrayilov said whether the technique was considered PII (personal identifyable information) under the privacy act was “arguable”, given it only offered device information. He argued it was problematic however when used in conjunction with facial recognition technology, given that together they exposed a significant volume of personal information.
The Data Point: Now Hear This — Voice Recognition Cut Australian Shopping Friction by 89%
(PYMNTS , Jun 20, 2022)
Proving that merchants’ digital investments are paying off, voice recognition is making shopping experiences more kinetic and engaging for Australian consumers by first reducing friction, which according to our research it did in 2021 — by a towering 89%. “Australian merchants that allow shoppers to make purchases via voice-recognition technology offer the most frictionless voice-enabled shopping experiences of any country we studied, earning an average Index score of 144,” the study states. “It is therefore clear that integrating voice-enabled commerce and mobile-based cross-channel capabilities can help Australian merchants future-proof their businesses for the increasingly connected global economy.”
Identity Week America, October 4 - 5, 2022
(Terrapinn, Jun 20, 2022)
IDENTITY WEEK is the most important identity event in the USA. IDENTITY WEEK is a conference and exhibition bringing together the brightest minds in the identity sector to promote innovation, new thinking, and more effective identity solutions. Key areas of focus include secure physical credentials, digital identity, and advanced authentication technologies, such as biometrics.
