The Australian Department of Communications is set to start a trial for age verification technologies to ensure age-restricted online content is only accessible to appropriate individuals. This initiative aims to protect minors from harmful material.
The trial will focus on verifying users’ ages on platforms such as gambling sites, adult games, entertainment, and possibly social media. The Department will manage the trial’s logistics, while an independent third-party expert will evaluate the technology’s effectiveness. The selection process for this expert will begin next month, inviting proposals from qualified organisations and individuals.
Participation in the trial is voluntary for digital platform companies, but the Department encourages major tech firms to join, given their obligations under the Online Safety Act, which is currently under review. The trial will explore various age verification methods, including biometric age estimation, ID document verification, and AI-driven age inference.
Why does it matter?
In line with these efforts to address harmful content, the Australian Government has enhanced the Basic Online Safety Expectations (BOSE) determination for online services providers, including social media platforms, to adhere to higher online safety standards. Previously, the Albanese government decided against a mandatory age verification system for online pornography and adult content due to the immaturity of current technologies, as per the BiometricUpdate.
The National Identification Registry (NIR) and the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in Liberia have partnered to issue biometric ID cards to civil servants to combat financial fraud in the public sector. The agreement will provide ID cards to employees in 103 government agencies to reduce payroll fraud and prevent identity duplication. CSA Director General Hon. Josiah F. Joekai stressed that this initiative will improve the verification process for public servants, which, in turn, is expected to enhance service delivery.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a comprehensive biometric verification system, allowing the CSA ongoing access to the NIR’s e-verification platform to ensure all Government of Liberia employees’ National Identification Numbers are included on their ID cards. NIR Director General Andrew Peters noted that this collaboration will improve the collection of civil servants’ data, helping to identify those committing fraud.
Additionally, the government is making efforts to expand ID coverage among citizens by launching a mass biometric enrollment exercise this month, as per The Biometric Update.
Why does it matter?
The initiative comes after CSA Director General Josiah Joekai reported uncovering significant fraud and discrepancies in various government spending entities. At a press briefing, Joekai stressed that these issues have led to an average monthly wage expenditure of over $23.5 million and caused the past administration to spend $6.1 million on consulting services last year. Regular audits revealed fraudulent payments, ghost employees, and other financial mismanagement.
Zambia has taken a step forward in modernising its legal and digital identity system by digitising the records of around 7 million people. This milestone is part of an effort across African nations to enhance their digital public infrastructure (DPI) and ID systems. Government initiatives were presented during the ID4Africa annual event, focusing on DPI, held in Cape Town, South Africa.
A senior technical advisor for the World Bank reported on LinkedIn that Zambia had digitised 81 percent of its paper ID cards in three months. This digitisation aims for completion by July, and it is expected to reduce enrollment time and costs, simplify identity verification, and strengthen the biometric database. Zambia has also collected biometric records for 1.3 million people despite delays due to a severe drought.
Why does it matter?
Among other African nations, Namibia and Tanzania are also expanding their DPI and broadening the use of their national IDs across more sectors, though at a different pace than Zambia. According to Etienne Maritz, Executive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Namibia, legal identity enables inclusive development and access to financial services. Since February, Namibia’s national registration campaign has already issued ID documents to 38,000 people. In Tanzania, the government integrates its digital ID and civil registration systems to improve governance, involving the merger of responsible government bodies.
Bermuda has halted plans to add facial recognition to its CCTV system due to “practical challenges,” the National Security Ministry announced. As reported by BiometricUpdate.com, this follows criticism from rights groups and the political opposition, who raised concerns about privacy and constitutional issues of the public surveillance project.
The Bermuda Human Rights Commission is currently investigating the technology’s implications in line with UN directives. In addition, the Free Democratic Movement, a new political party, criticised the camera system for potentially infringing on freedom of association and constituting unlawful searches.
Despite these concerns, Minister of National Security Michael Weeks and Police Commissioner Darrin Simons assured the public that privacy will not be compromised. However, implementation of the project may be delayed, with only 60 out of 247 cameras operational as of April due to heavy rains and a lack of asphalt. The Bermuda Safe City project aims for completion by July 2024.
Why does it matter?
Recently, the Royal Gazette inquired about the accuracy and type of software in Bermuda’s new CCTV system, especially concerning identification errors. This follows reports around the world of racially biassed mistakes in facial recognition technology, with error rates up to 35% for Black females. Bermuda’s police have used cameras for decades. However, the new system promises enhanced tracking and recognition capabilities. Despite police assurances, studies and incidents, including a lawsuit against Macy’s and a wrongful arrest in Detroit, unveiled significant bias in the technology.
In India, a breach of the Tamil Nadu Police Facial Recognition Portal by the hacker group ‘Valerie’ exposed data on over 50,000 people, including police officers and First Information Reports (FIRs). The stolen information is now being sold on the dark web and could be exploited for scams, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Deployed in 2021, the Tamil Nadu police’s facial recognition system uses software from the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) Kolkata. It was intended for officers to verify suspects on patrol but has been criticised for its broad criteria in identifying potential suspects.
Despite the risks, India continues to expand its use of facial recognition since Meghalaya is deploying 300 cameras in Shillong, Jammu, and Kashmir using AI facial recognition on highways. Telangana police are upgrading to a more comprehensive biometric system under the new Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022.
Why does it matter?
As India advances its digital transformation with major projects like Aadhaar and Digi Yatra, biometric monitoring has become common, and much of the technology powering these initiatives comes from Japan. According to a report from The Wire, Japanese tech firms, particularly NEC, supply many of India’s police forces with biometric tools. Although NEC has a human rights policy, domestic misuse remains a concern.
Bulgaria is set to eliminate physical ticketing with ‘Rock,’ a biometric access control system for large events. Developed by a government research team, this AI-powered system will use facial and fingerprint recognition for pre-registered fans, replacing traditional tickets.
The system aims to detect unauthorised access through algorithmic scanners and promises compliance with GDPR and CCPA regulations via data anonymisation and encryption. It plans to eventually incorporate behavioural biometrics to detect suspicious behaviour.
Supported by €4.46 million ($4.8 million) in the EU funding, Rock is Bulgaria’s largest AI project. A technology partner is involved, though not yet publicly disclosed.
Why does it matter?
This initiative is part of Bulgaria’s aim to position itself as a tech hub, as seen with the recent opening of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) and the launch of BgGPT, a Bulgarian-language AI chatbot.
Concerns are mounting over potential border chaos between the UK and the EU as an app designed to streamline passport checks will not be ready to implement the European Union’s Entry-Exit System (EES). Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave disclosed the delay, indicating that the railway service intends to install additional kiosks at London’s St Pancras station to manage passport checks effectively. The EES scheme, set to commence on 6 October, requires non-EU passport holders to register fingerprint and facial biometrics with a mobile application to ease pre-registration and avoid lengthy border queues.
While Eurostar aims to reassure passengers about the app’s impending deployment, other border crossings, including the Channel Tunnel operated by Getlink, are preparing for potential disruptions. New processing areas will be constructed at Folkestone and Calais to accommodate the scheme’s requirements. However, the Port of Dover faces significant challenges due to high traffic volumes and limited space, with concerns raised by Kent County Council leader Roger Gough and Port of Dover CEO Doug Bannister regarding potential supply chain disruptions in the UK.
Why does it matter?
In addition to managing the EES rollout, the Port of Dover is grappling with the arrival of migrants in the UK, prompting discussions about implementing live facial recognition technology at migrant processing facilities in Kent. With record numbers of migrants crossing the English Channel, the situation has become politically charged, exacerbating the strain on Dover port. Despite efforts to enhance processing capabilities and implement new technologies, concerns persist about the ability of border staff to manage surges in migrant arrivals effectively, raising questions about security and operational efficiency.
Kenya’s government, led by Julius Bitok, the principal secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services, unveiled plans to issue three million digital national IDs and one million biometric passports before the end of the year.
The decision aims to streamline access to essential identity documents, boost revenue through eCitizen services, and digitise 46 million birth and death records. With two new passport printing machines, waiting time is expected to be reduced to under 14 days, doubling the previous year’s output. New passport offices will also open in Bungoma, Garissa, and Nyeri.
Bitok also revealed plans to enhance digital government services, raising the current 16,000 offerings to 20,000. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to expedite the registration of around 200,000 refugees as part of the government’s broader initiatives.
Maryland is setting a precedent with its newly passed law governing the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement, one of the strictest in the US. It marks a departure from Maryland’s fragmented and inconsistent facial recognition use regulations, establishing a uniform statewide policy.
The legislation known as House Bill 338/Senate Bill 182, unanimously approved by the Maryland General Assembly, establishes stringent regulations on agencies employing facial recognition to ensure transparency, accountability, and safeguards.
While acknowledging the tool’s value in solving crimes, the law prohibits arrests or positive identifications based solely on facial recognition results and restricts its use as evidence in court. Regular audits and reporting are mandated to ensure compliance and transparency, with prohibitions against using facial recognition for purposes protected by the Constitution or discriminatory practices.
Why does it matter?
As reported by the Biometric Update, facial recognition technology and its regulation have become focal points for politicians and civil rights groups worldwide, from the UK to Australia. Anticipation surrounds the upcoming release of the US Department of Justice’s interim policy on the matter, which signals a growing international effort to address this technology’s ethical and legal challenges.
Rights groups are intensifying their calls for restrictions on using facial recognition technology (FRT) by the US government. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has submitted comments to the US Commission on Civil Rights, asserting that FRT lacks reliability for making decisions that impact constitutional rights or social benefits and it poses risks to marginalised communities and privacy. EFF advocates for a ban on government use of FRT and strict limits on private sector use to safeguard against the perceived threats posed by this technology.
Joining EFF, the immigrant advocacy organisation United We Dream and over 30 civil rights partners have also submitted comments to the commission. They highlight concerns that a legal loophole has enabled agencies like ICE and CBP to use facial recognition for extensive surveillance of immigrants and people of colour. The alliance argues that FRT’s algorithmic biases often lead to incorrect identifications, unjust arrests, detentions, and deportations within immigrant communities.
The US Commission on Civil Rights has been conducting hearings with various stakeholders presenting their perspectives on FRT. While rights groups and advocates have raised concerns, government, enforcement agencies, vendors, and institutions, like NIST, have defended the technology. The Department of Justice emphasised its interim facial recognition policy prioritising First Amendment rights, while HUD submitted written testimony in recent weeks.
Why does it matter?
Official data from 2021 reveals that 18 out of 24 federal agencies surveyed were employing facial recognition technology, predominantly for law enforcement and digital access purposes. This ongoing debate underscores the growing scrutiny and debate surrounding using FRT in government operations and its impact on civil liberties and marginalised communities.
