Late in 2016, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles ran a mobile drivers license pilot testing the efficacy of age verification for alcohol and tobacco purchases via a mobile license. With realtime verification against DMV databases, the individual’s photo and an indicator of ‘over 18’ or ‘over 21’ was provided. Stats and survey research detailed in the state’s project report provide key insight into both user and retailer needs as well as obstacles to program success.

Back in December 2016, 3M announced that it would sell its identity management business to Gemalto for $850 million. That deal has been completed following approval by the relevant regulatory and antitrust authorities. The acquisition brings biometric tech and additional document security features to Gemalto’s Government Programs offering and, according to a company release, positions […]

Embedded card security features – or document security features – are classified into three levels based on how they are read in the field. Level 1 are overt features that can be read by the naked eye, while Level 2, Covert features require basic tools and Level 3, Forensic features can only be seen in a lab setting using sophisticated equipment. While all levels can play a role in total document security, Level 1 has emerged as the essential features as they can be verified readily with only minor training.

Australian officials are planning to add passport photos to a national facial recognition database. The system is intended to be used for both identity verification for the new Govpass digital identity system as well as for criminal identification from crime scene footage. The announcement inspired privacy advocates to push for creation of a new national commissioner to oversee the use of biometrics nationwide.

Technical organization and standards leader, IEEE, is launching a new program to create standards around consumer and patient data protection, specifically as it relates to blockchain and identity. Called, Digital Inclusion through Trust and Agency, the initiative will bring together technology innovators, policy experts and academic researchers to address the topic. “Identity is a consideration […]

In this podcast, part 2 of our conversation with Andre Boysen of SecureKey, we explore the specifics of how ledger-based cryptographic systems like blockchain can empower digital identity. Learn how he envisions strong identity across the Internet without risking personal data, breaches or privacy.

As the use of biometrics continues to rise, so too does the need to quantify the strength of one biometric to another biometric or even to an alternative authentication technique. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is addressing this need with a new project called SOFA-B or Strength of Function for Authenticators – Biometrics. The goal behind SOFA-B is to develop a framework to evaluate the security of biometric technologies by considering key metrics, such as matching performance and liveness detection. Ultimately, SOFA-B will enable cross-modality comparison so that multiple authenticators can be combined and interchanged to better meet an organization’s desired level of risk mitigation.

As the Trump administration pushes to rapidly increase border security, facial recognition is emerging as the likely modality of choice for Biometric Exit. Customs and Border Protection lead, Larry Panetta cited the existing wealth of photo images — from both citizens and visitors alike — as a key reason for the modality’s choice. A pilot underway on a flight from Atlanta to Tokyo is testing the technology and …