Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:
Startup Accelerator Seeks OPI Applicants
Luminate, an accelerator focused on optics, photonics, or imaging (OPI) startups, is inviting applications for its sixth cohort. Successful applicants will immediately receive $100,000 in funding and will have the opportunity to compete for up to $2 million. Any startup involved in computer vision, imaging sensors, facial recognition and the like is encouraged to apply before the deadline of January 9, 2023.
USC Researcher Details Synthetic Image Solution for Facial Recognition Training
A researcher at the USC Information Sciences Institute has developed a novel solution for helping to eliminate bias in facial recognition algorithms: generating a diverse set of synthetic face images on which to train them. Jiazhi Li’s method is detailed in his paper ““CAT: Controllable Attribute Translation for Fair Facial Attribute Classification”, and his work was funded in part by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA).
Verogen Appoints Former DA as Government Affairs Advisor
Verogen, a company focused on the development of DNA-based biometric identification technologies, has named Anne Marie Schubert as its Strategic Advisor of Government Affairs. Schubert is the former District Attorney for California’s Sacramento County. “We are at the beginning of the digital DNA revolution in forensics,” she commented. “As a lifelong advocate for crime victims, I am delighted to be part of a company at the forefront of that change, joining a group of leaders dedicated to making a difference in our justice system.”
Nigerian Identity Verification Startup Gets ISO Certifications
VerifyMe Nigeria has obtained the QMS (Quality Management System) ISO 9001:2015 and ISMS (Information Security Management Systems) ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certifications. The startup offers an identity verification platform that is designed to use facial recognition to match end users, their physical IDs, and government records.
Acer, HP Embrace Biometric Security in New Devices
Just ahead of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, Acer has announced a number of new computers and laptops, including PCs that feature both fingerprint and facial recognition capabilities. Acer’s biometric security offering is notable taking advantage of the Windows Hello platform for fingerprint authentication, but eschewing Microsoft’s proprietary facial recognition technology for Acer’s own ‘EyeSense’ facial recognition software.
HP has also unveiled a slew of new devices for CES, including a webcam that features bona fide Windows Hello facial recognition for user authentication. The HP 620/625 FHD Webcam records video in 1080p and features dual noise-reduction microphones, 360-degree swivel, a 90-degree tilt angle, and an AI system to automatically frame the user’s face.
Turks Trial Star Alliance Biometrics
Turkish Airlines and iGA Istanbul Airport are now trialing the Star Alliance Biometrics passenger processing system. Interested members of Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles loyalty program can upload photos of their passport and ID alongside selfie photos, and will then be able to pass through biometric checkpoints and enjoy a contactless boarding process. The Star Alliance is aiming to get about half of its members using biometric passenger processing technology by 2025.
Canadian Province to Trial Digital ID
The Digital Government Minister for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador says that plans are underway for a potential digital ID that could be used in lieu of physical documents when, for example, providing proof of age at a liquor store. The Minister, Sarah Stoodley, told CBC News that meetings with federal government counterparts are scheduled for later this month, and that her department is currently trying to secure funding for a digital ID pilot.
UK Mobile ID Pilot Deemed a Success
Organizers of a mobile ID pilot in Surrey, United Kingdom, are proclaiming it a success. The five-month pilot encouraged visitors to the REKOM Tru Camberley nightclub to use the 1account ID app for proof of age, rather than present a physical ID, and ultimately found that nine in 10 participants preferred it to physical ID scanning, thanks in part to the scanning process taking only a third of the time normally required. The pilot was organized by 1account, REKOM UK, and the Home Office as one of nine regulatory sandbox trials conducted across England.
Thailand Prepares Digital ID Rollout
The government of Thailand is about to start rolling out a digital ID system with mobile functionality. It will initially be used to enable access to government services under the Internal Affairs Ministry, and will eventually expand for use across a range of government agencies as well as private sector entities such as banks. Individuals will be required to register their ID cards at a local government office in order to access the D.Dopa mobile ID app, which uses QR codes for two-factor authentication. The initial launch is scheduled for January 10.
Louisiana’s New Porn Law Drives ID Downloads
A newly implemented law requiring online pornography sites to obtain proof of age from users has prompted a spike in downloads of Louisiana’s digital ID, LA Wallet. As StateScoop reports, the vendor that developed the digital ID, Envoc, says that since December 31 – the day before the law took effect – daily downloads have jumped from around 1,200-1,500 to over 5,000.
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January 4, 2022 – by Alex Perala
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