Biometrics and border security, law enforcement and facial recognition trending this week

Here is a recap of the most popular biometrics industry news that appeared on BiometricUpdate.com this past week.

Industry insight

In a guest post, the Secure Identity and Biometrics Association discusses the rise of biometrics and identity management in the homeland security enterprise and its Biometrics and Identity Innovations Forum in Washington, D.C. later this month.

In a guest post, David Gerulski, VP at Integrated Biometrics, discusses how the use of biometrics as an identifier is having a positive effect across the African continent and more specifically, how mobile biometrics are enabling citizens to be better represented.

In an exclusive interview with BiometricUpdate.com, MorphoTrak’s Director of Strategic Marketing and Government Relations, Teresa Wu, discussed the 2016 MorphoTrak Users Conference and how the three-day event provided the opportunity for over 200 attendees from 15 countries to interact and exchange best practices with fellow users.

U.S. government

In an effort to strengthen its proposed biometric screening system, known as the Tactical High-Threat Operational Response, IARPA is seeking to develop technologies that detect when someone is attempting to disguise their biometric identity, or spoof, in order to circumvent its biometric security systems.

The DHS has issued a request for information to share solutions in support for Customs and Border Protection’s Biometric Exit Program. CBP intends to add biometrics to confirm when foreign nationals are departing the US, in order to deter visa overstays, to identify criminals, and to defeat imposters.

According to a new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has access to nearly 412 million photographs for the purpose of running facial recognition, including both passport and driver’s license photos, along with mug shots.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently finalized its privacy guidelines for the commercial use of facial recognition. Trade organizations involved in the process including IBIA were generally pleased with process.

Trade notes

Reuters reported this week that private equity fund Advent has made a bid for Safran’s biometric identification unit with the aim to merge it with Advent-owned Oberthur Technologies. The merger of the two firms could create a France-based world leader in secure authentification.

Twitter is acquiring Magic Pony Technology, a London-based startup that specializes in machine learning, for $150 million. Magic Pony has developed techniques of using neural networks and machine learning to provide expanded data for images.

In an effort to combat identity fraud and counterfeiting, the new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) rolled out its new biometrics-based ID card for refugees, along with a new card verification mobile application.

Crossmatch has been awarded “Complementary Solution Provider of the Year” by Temenos Group for its contribution to Temenos business involving biometric authentication and is based on ease of use, level of integration and product revenue contribution.

Imagus Technology recently announced a $1 million investment deal with a leading fintech industry player. The investment is the first of its kind outside of the initial founders and paves the way for Imagus to further expand into the multi-million dollar fintech identification and verification space.

Zwipe and Hitachi High-Technologies announced a partnership agreement for commercial and technical cooperation including sales and distribution rights for the full product portfolio of Zwipe’s solutions to the Japanese market.

Vision-Box announced that the new automated border control (ABC) solution at RIOgaleão International Airport is set to go live. The ABC eGates offer passport authenticity checks as well as facial biometric verification of passengers through an automated self-service process.

Special reports

Biometrics Research Group believes that the financial services sector has emerged as a primary end-user market for biometrics technology worldwide. This report provides an updated overview and market synopsis of biometrics for the global financial sector and is sponsored by HID Global and Biometrics in Banking & Financial Services by IQPC.

Biometrics Research Group expects continued growth of biometrics usage for border security by the U.S. government. This white paper provides an update concerning the application of biometrics to border security and is sponsored by Crossmatch.

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Article Topics

Africa  |  banking  |  biometrics  |  border security  |  Crossmatch  |  DHS  |  Entry/Exit System (EES)  |  FBI  |  IARPA  |  Imagus  |  Integrated Biometrics  |  morpho  |  MorphoTrak  |  NTIA  |  SAFRAN  |  SIBA  |  Teresa Wu  |  UNHCR  |  Vision-Box  |  X (twitter)  |  Zwipe