New York City's Biometric Law: What Consumers Should Know
(JD Supra, Feb 06, 2024)
New York City, a global hub for business and technology, has taken a significant step in safeguarding the privacy of its residents with the introduction of the Biometric Identifier Information Law. This law, also known as Local Law 56, aims to regulate the collection and use of biometric data within the city. The law enforces strict requirements for businesses and provides remedies for consumers to take on establishments that violate them.
Eurostar May Cap Services Due to Post-Brexit Biometric Passport Checks, Says Station Owner
(The Guardian, Feb 04, 2024)
The EES requires citizens from outside the EU or Schengen area to register before entering the zone. This will replace the stamping of passports for UK travellers, and instead require passengers to enter personal information and details about their trip, as well as submitting fingerprint and facial biometric data. It has been mooted that the new checks will come into force in October but the implementation has been delayed several times in recent years because the infrastructure was not ready. HS1 has now raised several concerns to MPs around St Pancras’s ability to accommodate the changes, predicting “unacceptable passenger delays
Meet the Scientist Protecting Women of Color from the Wrong Side of AI
(MSNBC, Feb 06, 2024)
We need legislation — at the federal level — because the legislation then puts in the guard rails for the tech companies. Currently, you have some tech companies that have done a little bit of self-regulation. But all of the U.S. companies that we audited have stopped selling facial recognition to law enforcement following that work.
Opt Out of Facial Scans, Request a Private Screening—Every Flier Has These Basic Airport Rights
(AFAR, Feb 05, 2024)
Facial recognition technology is being installed at airports across the country and used by many airlines during flight boarding to reduce staffing needs and improve speed and efficiency of certain airport procedures. For some travelers, this is a welcome way to expedite the travel experience. For others, it raises privacy and accuracy concerns. There may come a time when it is more difficult to avoid facial scans, but for now, airlines, CBP and TSA say they are voluntary and that passengers can opt out.
Tesla Settles Privacy Case While Amazon and Facebook Are Frozen in Place with Theirs
(Biometric Update, Feb 06, 2024)
Of three recent turns in U.S. biometric privacy lawsuits, only one, a settlement, has much to do with privacy itself. Meta, via Facebook, is accused of commercializing face scans without consent. The company could face billions in damages. And in the most consequential, if secret, biometric privacy development, Tesla has settled an Illinois suit. No substantive details are public because they were meted out in arbitration.
