Biometrics

Privacy rankings list U.S. and Britain near the bottom
Privacy International releases worldwide study of privacy protection; U.S. dinged for lack of commercial data privacy; Britain stung for heavy surveillance policies; Canada, Belgium, and Germany lead the way in safeguarding citizen privacy
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Cogent Systems scores with U.K. Visa biometrics deal
Company will provide software for fingerprint and facial recignition biometric technology; U.K. will scan visa applicants at 250 locations worldwide starting in 2008; contract just the latest success for this globetrotting company
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Motorola asserts itself in the biometrics market
Company has teamed up with Oracle to improve its finger and facial biometrics capabilities; Oracle’s support of XML a key factor; Motorola technology lauded for capturing a burglar with its automated reverse search function
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Digimarc strikes another deal with Iowa Department of Transportation
Company has a long history with the state, including a recent deal for driver’s licence watermarks and instant issuance cards; new deal includes “one to one” and “one to many” facial biometrics authentication; intent is confirm ID on renewal and prevent multiple issuances
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Britain takes a biometric approach to nightclub violence
Drinkers in the town of Yeovil must submit their prints to a cental database; if found to misbehave, the system alerts other establishments and prevents entry; bar owners must comply or risk their liquor licenses; we look back at a similar scheme in New York
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NXP Semiconductors announces thinner smart card chips for ePassports
Formerly Philips Semiconductors, the Dutch company decreases the size of its own chips by 20 percent to 75 micrometers; ePassports are expected to last ten years, so decreasing the size of electronic components makes room for protective features
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GSA decides not to pursue BearingPoint's HSPD-12 option years
Decision comes just two months after signing of $104 million contract; GSA prompted by increased maturity of the market and belief it could get a better price by resoliciting bids; quality not at issue; BearingPoint will compete for new terms
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Stanley to provide passport services to State Department
Ten-year, $164 million deal allows Stanley to open up two new processing centers; agreement comes on the heels of a succesful IPO; company will also expand workforce by 150; passport demand expected to heat up as new travel restrictions come on line
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EU considers "deep background checks" for Registered Traveler program
Responding to concerns about racial profiling, EU may instead develop a large-scale network linking criminal and civil data bases; a final report is not due until June, but in the meantime EU planners will move ahead with plans; privacy concerns remain an unsurmounted obstacle
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Gemalto sales dip, but ePassport unit is stronger than ever
Falling prices in SIM cards depress overall revenue, but ePassport rollouts in Poland and France boost ID & Security unit by 19 percent; company is well on its way to total European market dominance
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Avenue Capital Management invests in Smartrac
Smartrac, leader in chip and antenna inlays for ePassports, has seen earnings triple since 2005; Avenue Capital buys 6 percent of company on open market, a clear sign of the strength of the market; worldwide demand estimated at 50 million
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Agent Video update
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Vidient's SmartCatch video analytics software wins Lenel certification
Lenel will now offer SmartCatch to customers interested in video analytics; deal provides further evidences of SmartCatch’s ability to integrate seamlessly
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Unisys said to win biometric kiosk deal with Australian Customs
Rumors in Sydney say Unisys has won out over Sagem Morpho, Biometrics Technologies, and others; company will install self-service kiosks at Auckland International Airport; deal may have derived from earlier success with immigration detention centers
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The Netherlands selects ePassport authentication system from 3M
The use of biometrics for identifying people is gaining ground by the day; the Netherlands has just selected ePassport readers from 3M to verify the identity of the more than 40 million travelers who pass through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport each year; the government will place the readers at other border crossings as well
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