DHS Wants $7.5 Million to Build Facial Recognition Wearables for ICE Agents
(Fortune, May 12, 2026)
The Department of Homeland Security is seeking $7.5 million to develop smart glasses that would give ICE agents real-time access to facial recognition and other biometric identification tools in the field. The proposal would build on ICE and CBP’s existing use of Mobile Fortify, a biometric app that can check faces and fingerprints against government databases, while raising new concerns about mobile surveillance, misidentification, privacy safeguards, and the use of wearable recording technology during enforcement operations and protests
Europe and US Negotiate Deal to Share Citizens’ Biometric Data, UK Also Approached
(Computer Weekly, May 12, 2026)
The European Union and the U.S. are negotiating an Enhanced Security Border Partnership that could give the U.S. Department of Homeland Security access to biometric data on EU citizens for security screening, identity checks, and visa-related purposes. The UK Home Office also confirmed that DHS requested access to UK fingerprint records tied to Visa Waiver Program participation, although it said negotiations are not underway. Critics warn the proposed arrangement could enable continuous biometric data sharing, including fingerprints, photographs, and genetic data, with limited transparency, weak public oversight, and potential risks for travelers, protesters, and others flagged through automated screening systems.
Court Told Facial Recognition Could Not Unlock Chandrasena’s iPhone
(Daily Mirror, May 12, 2026)
A Sri Lankan court was told that investigators have been unable to access former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena’s iPhone 16 Pro Max during the inquiry into his suspicious death. Police said the device was protected by facial recognition, that attempts to unlock it using Chandrasena’s face after death had failed, and that investigators were seeking court permission to send the phone to Apple or another suitable institution for access.
‘Incredible’ Pilot of Fixed Facial Recognition Cameras Leads to Arrest of Woman Wanted for 20 Years
(LBC, May 13, 2026)
London’s Metropolitan Police may expand fixed live facial recognition cameras after a six-month Croydon pilot led to more than 170 arrests, including a woman wanted for more than 20 years. Police said the cameras scanned more than 470,000 people, produced one false alert, and helped reduce crime in the area, while civil liberties advocates warned that live facial recognition turns ordinary members of the public into “walking ID cards” and should be subject to stricter legal safeguards.
Nvidia Sued by Journalists, Podcasters Over AI Biometric Claims
(Bloomberg Law, May 12, 2026)
Nvidia is facing a proposed class action in Illinois federal court from journalists and podcasters who allege the company used their voices without consent to train AI products. The complaint claims Nvidia violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act by collecting unique voiceprints from publicly available recordings, using them to develop voice AI tools, and commercially distributing the resulting models, adding to a growing wave of biometric and AI-training lawsuits over the use of human voice data.
