Identity authentication

Voice biometrics have not yet caught on in the United States
Canada and Australia are further along than the United States in this regard, mostly because of U.S. critics spreading unnecessary fear and doubt about the technology
- Read more
Developer of system to prevent ID theft forms joint venture
The new identity theft prevention system — software and countertop machines — would verify Social Security numbers when people do business at government agencies, banks, stores, and other businesses
- Read more

Worries about Iraq's biometric database
The U.S. biometric database in Iraq, now containing identification information on more than 2.5 million Iraqis, has been helpful to U.S. troops in identifying the bad guys and thwarting acts of terror; as the U.S. forces prepare to leave Iraq, worries grow that the same database may be used for monitoring critics of the regime and for political repression
- Read more
House members urge TSA not to destroy Registered Traveler data
A month ago Verified Identity Pass Inc., by far the largest operator of Registered Traveler, abruptly ceased operations; TSA plans to destroy personal data from enrollees
- Read more

U.K. to share fingerprints with Canada, Australia
U.K., Canada, and Australia have begun to implement the fingerprint data sharing among g them, aiming to catch criminals and better evaluate the cases of asylum seekers; U.S., New Zealand will soon join
- Read more
Honolulu airport gets faster screening
Honolulu airport is one of thirteen U.S. airports that will use a new screening process beginning 24 August; the Global Entry pilot program, intended to streamline the customs and security process for “trusted” air travelers
- Read more

Judge prohibits VIP from selling customers' personal data
VIP shut down its Clear airport fast pass service on 22 June; the 260,000 customers who gave their full names, Social Security numbers, and biometric identifiers such as finger prints and iris scans to the company do not want the defunct company to sell their information a third party; a judge agrees, but the order could be withdrawn
- Read more
Clarifying U.S. exit requirements for non-U.S. travelers
From 28 May to 2 July 2009, DHS conducted a test of biometric exit procedures at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport; the procedures tested during the trial will be deployed in 2010; until then, all international visitors should do is return their paper Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) or Form I-94W to an airline or ship representative
- Read more

In Photo ID case, security concerns win out over religious beliefs
An employee of Sunoco refused, on religious grounds, to allow his picture for an ID; a judge rules that owing to security considerations, the company does not have to accommodate the employee
- Read more
Australian, Kiwi passengers to use electronic passport control
New electronic passport control for Australians and New Zealanders will allow bypassing queues for baggage screening from the end of this year
- Read more

Über-hacker Albert "Segvec" Gonzalez's plea scuttled by indictment
Gonzalez’s attorney was close to taking responsibility for his crimes and agreeing to a sentence of about twenty years when hew was indicted on new counts on Monday
- Read more
The company: Nucleix fighting biological identity theft
Its assay technology is in advanced stages of development. Several patents have already been granted; CEO Elon Ganor made his name mainly at VocalTec, a company that pioneered telephony over Internet
- Read more

The technology: Israeli scientists find way to combat forged DNA
Forensic DNA profiling is today one of the most powerful tools applied on crime scenes, and is often used to convict or acquit suspects in rape and murder cases
- Read more
Writing style identity tool easily fooled
It was thought that writing style is almost as unique to a person as a fingerprint or DNA, and literary historians and courts used the approach; a new study suggests that some of these so-called stylometry techniques are easily fooled, even by people without linguistic or literary training
- Read more
Harold Schliesske: Using tactical biometrics in the theater
Schliesske, assistant product manager at the Office of the Project Manager Defense Department Biometrics’ Tactical Biometric Systems organization, helps develop technology that protects combat personnel on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan
- Read more

More headlines