BT/ Mastercard leans on behavioral biometrics in ‘Scam Protect’ initiative

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Paradigm

29 min readMay 6, 2024

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Biometrics biweekly vol. 88, 22nd April — 6th May

TL;DR

Mastercard announces new AI suite with behavioral biometrics to fight fraud
NIST issues guidance to fit passkeys into digital identity recommendations
LinkedIn introduces biometric IDV in Singapore with Persona
Google Wallet, Google Pay get biometric authentication upgrades
Microsoft teases easy video deepfake tool, declines to release it
MFA providers announce new platforms, contracts, partnerships
Cross-border digital ID project SIDI Hub announces world tour after EU grant
Smart Engines says new method boosts neural network efficiency by 40%
UK group begins AI and Digital Hub pilot to support product innovators
OSIA officially adopted as ITU standard for interoperable digital identity management
Open Home Foundation launches to defend privacy, choice in smart homes
Socure releases inaugural Document and Biometric Identity Fraud Report
1Kosmos launches biometric CSP managed service, joins Carahsoft GSA schedule
iBeta biometric PAD evaluations grow in global prominence
Okta report on credential stuffing attacks marks another blow against passwords
Entrust puts biometrics to use for integrated IDV and authentication tool
Uber Poland selects Regula ID document scanners for faster driver verification
EUDI Wallet could set a template for Japan’s digital ID
Finland starts work on a national digital identity wallet
Israel begins pilot for online biometric passport renewals on specific conditions
Trinidad and Tobago publishes bid for face biometrics software
Regulators hound Worldcoin digital ID project as it expands in Latin America
Liberia launches mass biometric enrollment for citizens, aliens
Steps towards digital ID card issuance taken in Gabon and Tunisia
Estonia navigates the future of ID cards, digital identity, and digital wallets
Cameroon mayors resolve to make birth registration a top priority
St Vincent and the Grenadines plans to ease property transactions with digital ID
Bank of Ireland makes big bet on voice authentication
UK comms regulator opens OnlyFans investigation
UK researchers extract drug residue from gel-lifted fingerprint biometrics
Researchers develop display screens with biometric sensor capabilities
Biometric industry events. And more!

Biometrics Market

The Biometric system market size is projected to grow from USD 36.6 billion in 2020 to USD 68.6 billion by 2025; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% during the forecast period. Increasing use of biometrics in consumer electronic devices for authentication and identification purposes, the growing need for surveillance and security with the heightened threat of terrorist attacks, and the surging adoption of biometric technology in automotive applications are the major factors propelling the growth of the biometric system market.

Biometric Research & Development

Latest Research:

Researchers develop display screens with biometric sensor capabilities

Traditional display screens like those built into smartphones require extra sensors for touch control, ambient light, and fingerprint sensing. These additional sensors increase the cost and design complexity, limiting the development of screens with a large screen-to-body ratio.

Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, however, have introduced a multifunctional display that can perform all of these roles simultaneously without the need for additional sensors. This not only simplifies the display structure but also enhances its functionality. The research paper showcases an innovative solution for developing a display system using photo-responsive metal halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) as pixels.

By integrating multiple functionalities, the display can be used not only as a visual output device but also as an image sensor capable of capturing fingerprint biometrics, and even a photovoltaic device capable of charging equipment.

Under-display biometrics on smartphones and tablets are currently provided by optical or ultrasonic sensors placed under the screen.

“We’ve now shown that our design principle works. Our results show that there is great potential for a new generation of digital displays where new advanced features can be created. From now on, it’s about improving the technology into a commercially viable product,” says Feng Gao, professor in optoelectronics at Linköping University (LiU).

After evaluation, researchers have identified a challenge with current display technologies, specifically LCDs and OLEDs, as they lack robust sensing capabilities within their pixels. While cadmium selenide nanocrystals offer photosensitivity, a trade-off between light absorption and charge transport limits their effectiveness.

As an alternative, Perovskite LEDs have been proposed due to their high brightness, flexible manufacturing, and excellent optical absorption and carrier transport. These PeLEDs are capable of emitting light under forward bias and detecting light effectively, making them a compelling solution for multifunctional displays.

“Traditionally, a fingerprint can only be input within a specific area of the screen where the fingerprint sensor is positioned,” researchers explain. The Perovskite multifunctional display is photoresponsive, enabling input capability expansion across the entire screen area. During the proof-of-concept stage, researchers utilized this technology by enlarging a fingerprint drawn on paper.
“The result indicates the great potential of using our multifunctional display for future on-screen multi-point fingerprint recognition on increasing the display resolution,” researchers note.

UK researchers extract drug residue from gel-lifted fingerprint biometrics

A new breakthrough in a familiar technology could help researchers use fingerprint biometrics to solve cold cases. A press release from Loughborough University says a team of analytical scientists has demonstrated, for the first time, how to detect drug residue on gel-lifted fingerprints.

This is particularly significant for sexual assault investigations, since one of the drugs in question is the sleeping pill Zolpidem, which has been used to spike drinks. The team was able to use a gelatine surface to lift Zolpidem-laced fingerprints from glass, metal, and paper surfaces in a lab setting.

“This is the first time that analysis of gel-lifted prints for a drug substance has been accomplished and shows that lifted prints and other forensic marks can be interrogated for useful information,” says Dr. Jim Reynolds, a specialist in analytical chemistry, who led the research. “Since gel-lifted prints and marks can be stored for many years, the technique could be of real use in cold cases where additional information may prove useful to either link or exonerate a suspect to the investigation.”

Gel lifters are widely used by forensics investigators globally. But drug testing has been unreliable because of its inability to distinguish between different types of chemicals. Together with Dr. Ayoung Kim, Reynolds deployed a method called sfPESI-MS, which uses a rapid separation mechanism to distinguish drug residue from the chemicals in the gel used to lift the fingerprint biometric.

The new process employs mass spectrometry to identify the chemicals by measuring their molecular weight. Chemicals are extracted from the gel lifter in tiny liquid droplets, then ionized to activate or deactivate an electric charge, depending on their chemical properties. Because drug residue in the fingerprint is more surface active than the gel chemicals, it can be separated.

Reynolds says the research focuses on Zolpidem — “this could be useful to detect individuals who have been spiking drinks, for example, if the drug they are using gets onto their fingertips, then they will leave evidence at the scene.” But he also foresees expanded use cases for the technique in the future, including the detection of other chemicals such as explosives, gunshot residues, paints, and dyes. The team has plans to work with law enforcement agencies to identify cases in which an analysis of stored gel-lifted prints could help unsolved crimes.

Smart Engines says new method boosts neural network efficiency by 40%

Scientists from the computer vision software company Smart Engines have announced they have found a way to improve the efficiency of neural networks by 40 percent. The method is based on a new quantization scheme.

Currently, deep neural networks are typically executed on specialized graphics cards, and often require more computing power than most devices have due to their increasing complexity. All user devices do, however, have a central processor, which is the world standard for 8-bit neural networks.

Smart Engines researchers have proposed 4.6-bit networks, which can operate 40 percent faster than the 8-bit model with almost no decrease in quality. It achieves this by more efficiently using the features of CPUs in mobile devices.

The input data and coefficients of the model are quantized to produce an output small enough to fit into 8-bit registers.

A two-level system of 16 and 32 bit accumulators summarize the results, and an average of 4.6 bits of information is assigned to each value.

The quantization method differs from existing methods as it allows for data input bit size to be adjusted and is not bound to powers of two. It can therefore produce higher recognition quality than counterparts like 4-bit models.

Main News:

Mastercard announces new AI suite with behavioral biometrics to fight fraud

Mastercard has launched Scam Protect, a new suite of AI-powered solutions aimed at combating the growing threat of scams, fuelled by advanced technologies like AI. It’s the product of partnerships with Verizon, NatWest, and the Global Anti-Scam Alliance.

Mastercard is using an array of AI-powered tools and technologies to fight fraud as part of its Scam Protect initiative. One of the cornerstone technologies involves Mastercard Identity, which plays a critical role in verifying that a person is who they claim to be throughout the lifecycle of an account. This helps prevent fraudsters from opening or hijacking accounts to commit financial crimes, such as applying for credit under false pretenses or creating accounts to launder stolen funds.

Mastercard also employs behavioral biometrics, which analyzes the physical interactions a user has with their devices — such as typing speed or how they navigate a website or app — to detect any unusual behavior that might indicate scam-related activity. Mastercard added behavioral biometrics to its anti-fraud arsenal through its acquisition of NuData Security back in 2017, highlighting the latter’s NuDetect platform and its ability to distinguish between genuine end users and bots and fraudsters.

Another important tool is Mastercard’s Consumer Fraud Risk solution, which is currently implemented in the UK with ten major banks. This tool leverages AI and Mastercard’s extensive visibility into account-to-account transactions to provide real-time intelligence to banks. It lets them intervene and stop a payment to a scammer before the funds are transferred.

Mastercard also supports these technologies with Mastercard Open Banking solutions, which are designed to enhance the security and efficiency of account-based payments by confirming account ownership and validating identity details through real-time data exchange.

“Scammers are exploiting new technologies, making their deception and impersonation scams increasingly difficult for consumers to recognize,” said Mastercard’s EVP of Identity Solutions, Chris Reid. “Building on our innovations in AI and key partnerships, we are supporting financial institutions with insights to better detect and prevent scams, while helping consumers learn how to spot them.”

NIST issues guidance to fit passkeys into digital identity recommendations

The U.S. National Institute and Standards Institute has published a supplement to its digital identity guidelines as interim advice for agencies to use authenticators like passkeys that work across different devices.

The “Incorporating syncable authenticators” supplement to NIST SP 800–63B Digital Identity Guidelines: Authentication and Lifecycle Management, provides guidance on using these authenticators, which are typically but not necessarily passkeys, in enterprise or public-facing applications.

It comes in recognition of the phishing-resistant security provided by passkeys, but also their non-compliance with the existing Digital Identity Guidelines. As such, the supplement sets out requirements and considerations for passkeys to meet Authentication Assurance Level 2 (AAL2).

The standards behind passkeys have matured since NIST published its initial guidelines, the agency says, and major consumer platforms have adopted them.

NIST notes that the FIDO Alliance estimates 8 billion user accounts support authentication with passkeys. “While not yet ubiquitous, they are becoming more common by the day,” writes NIST Digital Identity Program Lead for the Applied Cybersecurity Division Ryan Galluzzo in a blog post explaining the changes.

NIST notes the change in authenticator technology that prompted the publication of the 19-page supplement in its introduction:

“Typically, this authentication type protects a cryptographic key in hardware or software that requires activation through a second authentication factor, either a memorized secret or a biometric characteristic. Protecting the private key from unauthorized exposure is fundamental to the security model of a multi-factor cryptographic authenticator. This traditionally includes ensuring that private keys are not exportable or cloneable. However, this paradigm is starting to change. Notably, a new series of authentication protocols and specifications has led to the rapid adoption of syncable authenticators (commonly referred to as ‘passkeys’), which allow users to synchronize (i.e., duplicate) a private key between different devices.”

The FIDO Alliance has been explicitly seeking recognition of phishing resistance from NIST since 2020, and the agency included phishing resistance in its update to SP 800–63B last year. A blog post from NIST in December noted that this update specifically reflects the rise of passkeys and “emerging credential types.”

The supplement maps different attack types against AAL2, and sets out requirements for syncable authenticators. They must be generated using approved cryptographic methods and must be stored in encrypted form. Private keys stored in the cloud must be protected by “AAL2 equivalent MFA” access control mechanisms. Federal keys must be stored in FISMA Moderate environments. The document also covers implementation considerations, threats and challenges.

The second public comment period for SP-800–63–4 is expected later this year, at which point NIST will take comments on the supplement. The changes will be incorporated into Revision 4, and NIST will rescind the supplement as it will no longer be necessary.

NIST data protection guidance, international standards follow Biden executive order

Following Joe Biden’s executive order for data protection at the end of February, the Department of Commerce has announced three draft guidance documents from the National Institute for Standards and Technology, a draft plan for international standards, and a new measurement program which is open to comments from the public. The General Services Administration (GSA) has published its own guidance document, specific to procuring generative AI and other specialized technologies.

NIST’s AI RMF Generative AI Profile (NIST AI 600–1) can help organizations identify the risks posed by generative AI. It explores 13 risks and over 400 actions developers can take to mitigate them. Some risks include lower barriers to entry for hacking, phishing, malware, and other cybersecurity attacks, and the production of hate speech.

The Secure Software Development Practices for Generative AI and Dual-Use Foundation Models (NIST Special Publication (SP) 800–218A) will address malicious data training that affects generative AI systems.

NIST’s draft publication, Reducing Risks Posed by Synthetic Content (NIST AI 100–4) outlines methods for detecting, authenticating and labeling synthetic content, such as digital watermarking and metadata recording. The report provides technical ways to reduce the risks of synthetic content and improve the content’s transparency.

A Plan for Global Engagement on AI Standards (NIST AI 100–5) sets out the agency’s plan to lead the development of a global standard for AI and facilitate collaboration and information sharing.

The GSA has also released a Generative AI and Specialized Computing Infrastructure Acquisition Resource Guide. It goes over procurement, acquisition methods, and specialized computing infrastructure for generative AI.

In addition to the guides, the NIST GenAI Challenge is a program that will provide a platform for testing and evaluations for research in generative AI. It will facilitate the development of deepfake detection and promote the development of tech for identifying fake or misleading information.

NIST GenAI seeks to help people determine if a given text, image, video, or audio recording is of a genuine human or AI provenance. Both Generator and Discriminator tracks are included in the project, which is scheduled to launch as a pilot this month. A registration period is due to open in May, with an evaluation round 1 submission deadline planned for August.

Apple to placate EU by opening developer access to NFC scanning, Face ID

Apple’s tap-and-go mobile payments system, ID scanning and biometric capabilities should be available to rivals soon, with a report from Reuters saying European antitrust regulators could approve Apple’s offer by next month. The approval would conclude a four-year investigation by the European Commission into alleged attempts by Apple to thwart competition for its Apple Pay mobile wallet. It would also likely cancel the possibility of Apple facing substantial fines.

The tech giant first offered to make its tap-and-go near-field communication (NFC) technology available to rivals for use on non-Apple wallet systems on iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices. NFC scanning is also used by digital identity providers like Regula and Inverid for scanning ID documents with electronic chips.

Apple also offered to open up additional functionalities to developers, such as authentication through Face ID biometrics, defaulting for preferred payment apps, and a dispute settlement mechanism. A round of feedback from rivals and customers asked for some of the terms to be modified.

Now, final technical details are being ironed out, and the EU is likely to formally accept the offer before summer.

Apple's offer to open up tap-and-go tech to be approved by EU next month, sources say

Apple's offer to open its tap-and-go mobile payments system to rivals is set to be approved by EU antitrust regulators…

www.reuters.com

Google Wallet, Google Pay get biometric authentication upgrades

An announcement from Google says it is adding a biometric payment authentication feature to its Google Wallet system.

“Before making a payment, you’ll now be prompted to confirm your identity — either by PIN, pattern, thumbprint, or Class 3 biometric unlock with the option to turn off verification for transit fares,” says a statement posted to Google Wallet’s online help forums.

Google Wallet enhances in-store payment experience with new authentication update - Google Wallet…

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Enhanced biometric verification is also coming to Google Play. Android Police reports that Google has enabled the option to use biometric verification when making a purchase on Google Play, without having to re-enter a Google password. Users will be asked to verify every time they make a purchase, using either fingerprint or face biometrics. The option is designed to reduce the risk of unauthorized transactions.

In other Google news, the company seems unwilling to decide if it trusts its Wear OS watch platform as a secure host for Google Wallet. A report from 9to5Google says a PIN could be requested for additional user authentication before enabling tap-to-pay transactions with Wallet on Wear OS, which until now have just required the user to open the watch app and tap.

LinkedIn introduces biometric IDV in Singapore with Persona

LinkedIn is rolling out identity verification using biometric passports in Singapore.

The feature is provided by San Francisco-based selfie biometrics provider Persona. To apply for verification, Singaporeans can scan the passport’s photo page with the camera feature in the LinkedIn app and use the smartphone’s NFC reader to scan the passport’s NFC chip. The process is completed by taking a live selfie, The Strait Times reports.

LinkedIn rolls out passport verification feature to combat scams

Critics say that the passport verification feature will have limited success since it is optional. Read more at…

www.straitstimes.com

The identification form, which includes biometric data and digital signatures, is harder to fake than traditional paper documents, according to Wei Tu, LinkedIn’s vice-president of engineering, trust engineering and operations.

The Microsoft-owned social network launched the feature in March as part of its global identity verification rollout which is already available in at least 100 countries. Last year, the company announced a biometric ID verification partnership with Clear in the U.S., followed by an extension of the verification service in Canada and Mexico.

Persona announced its deal with Linkedin in late 2023, after which the feature was rolled out in Australia and Brazil.

The feature is optional and is aimed at curbing misinformation and poor conduct on the platform. To incentivize its use, LinkedIn will assign a verification badge that signals the account is authentic and boost the account by 60 percent on average, making it appear more frequently in searches.

LinkedIn currently has 30 million users with a verification badge with plans to reach 100 million verified accounts by 2025, according to Tu.

Singapore’s 4.2 million users may have more reasons to adopt the verification service than most. In 2022, job scams became the most prevalent type of fraud in the country with over 9,900 cases reported and at least S$135.7 million (US$99 million) in losses, according to police statistics.

Microsoft teases easy video deepfake tool

Microsoft is the latest tech giant to tease an AI product so good at producing deepfake humans that it poses a threat to real ones. In a striking demonstration of how quickly generative AI is advancing, VASA-1 can generate “hyper-realistic talking face video” from nothing but a single static image, an audio clip and a text script.

A research paper from Microsoft says VASA-1 produces “lip movements that are exquisitely synchronized with the audio,” plus “a large spectrum of facial nuances and natural head motions that contribute to the perception of authenticity and liveliness.”

Dozens of accompanying video samples illustrate this capability, applied to both real humans and artificial faces (in one particularly jarring instance, Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa convincingly raps a verse by Anne Hathaway). Other demos showcase the AI’s ability to make faces sing, speak in different languages, and otherwise handle photo and audio inputs from outside the training set. Many of the videos are so realistic that most casual viewers would never think to question their authenticity.

If released to the public, VASA-1 would give just about anyone the ability to create deepfake videos with a single photo and a minimal amount of audio input. Microsoft purports to know this.

Its release says its research “focuses on generating visual affective skills for virtual AI avatars, aiming for positive applications. It is not intended to create content that is used to mislead or deceive. However,” Microsoft concedes, “like other related content generation techniques, it could still potentially be misused for impersonating humans.”
“Given such context, we have no plans to release an online demo, API, product, additional implementation details, or any related offerings until we are certain that the technology will be used responsibly and in accordance with proper regulations.”

Microsoft Strengthens Ban on Police Use of Azure AI for Facial Recognition

Microsoft has updated the terms of service for its Azure OpenAI Service, now explicitly prohibiting U.S. police departments from using the platform for any facial recognition activities. The policy revision also extends to a global ban on the use of “real-time facial recognition technology” in conjunction with mobile cameras. While the ban primarily targets U.S. police, it does not completely close the door on international law enforcement agencies using the service for similar purposes, nor does it address the use of stationary cameras by U.S. forces. The move is part of broader discussions and evolving policies surrounding the ethical use of AI in defense and law enforcement contexts by major technology firms, including Microsoft’s ongoing collaborations with OpenAI and the Pentagon.

Microsoft Strengthens Ban on Police Use of Azure AI for Facial Recognition

Microsoft has strengthened its restrictions on the use of its Azure OpenAI Service for facial recognition purposes by…

findbiometrics.com

MFA providers announce new platforms, contracts, partnerships

Several MFA providers have announced new products and partnerships. Token is launching its next gen biometric Token Ring. Innovations Solutions Canada has awarded a contract to Cyphercor for MFA, while Hawcx is launching its passwordless authentication platform. Duo announced it now integrates with Entra ID external authentication methods.

MFA providers announce new platforms, contracts, partnerships | Biometric Update

Token next gen MFA Token Ring. Innovation Solutions Canada awards contract. Hawcx launches passwordless authentication…

www.biometricupdate.com

Cross-border digital ID project SIDI Hub announces world tour after EU grant

After receiving a grant from the European Union, SIDI Hub, an initiative to create a digital ID that is interoperable across borders, is planning a tour of the world. The organization will host a series of workshops across five continents, inviting stakeholders from the digital identity field.

Led by the Secure Identity Alliance (SIA), GlobalPlatform and OpenID, the Sustainable and Interoperable Digital Identity (SIDI) Hub is a joint initiative created by 17 open standard groups related to digital identity. In February, the project became one of nine awarded with a grant through the NGI Sargasso framework. The scheme awards up to 100,000 euros (US$107,165) in equity-free funding.

The group released a draft strategy at the beginning of March, outlining key areas of focus such as defining cross-border use cases for digital IDs and minimum requirements for digital identity interoperability.

SIDI Hub members include DIF, the Trust Over IP Foundation, the FIDO Alliance, the Kantara Initiative, the Open Wallet Foundation, OIX and the Digital ID & Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC) as well as government and non-profit organizations.

SIDI Hub workshops will be held on May 20 in Cape Town, South Africa, before ID4Africa; June 3 in Berlin, Germany, before the European Identity & Cloud Conference; September 10 in Washington D.C. before Identity Week; October 25 in Tokyo and November 15 (tentative) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, before the G20.

Smart Engines says new method boosts neural network efficiency by 40%

Scientists from the computer vision software company Smart Engines have announced they have found a way to improve the efficiency of neural networks by 40 percent. The method is based on a new quantization scheme.

Currently, deep neural networks are typically executed on specialized graphics cards, and often require more computing power than most devices have due to their increasing complexity. All user devices do, however, have a central processor, which is the world standard for 8-bit neural networks.

Smart Engines researchers have proposed 4.6-bit networks, which can operate 40 percent faster than the 8-bit model with almost no decrease in quality. It achieves this by more efficiently using the features of CPUs in mobile devices.

The input data and coefficients of the model are quantized to produce an output small enough to fit into 8-bit registers.

A two-level system of 16 and 32 bit accumulators summarize the results, and an average of 4.6 bits of information is assigned to each value.

The quantization method differs from existing methods as it allows for data input bit size to be adjusted and is not bound to powers of two. It can therefore produce higher recognition quality than counterparts like 4-bit models.

OSIA officially adopted as ITU standard for interoperable digital identity management

The Open Standards Identity API (OSIA) is now recognized as an international standard by the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Section (ITU-T)

OSIA, created by the Secure Identity Alliance (SIA), becomes ITU-T Recommendation X.1281 — APIs for interoperability of identity management systems.

“This milestone demonstrates the maturity of OSIA and its potential to foster interoperability and promote fairness in the identity management systems market,” says Debora Comparin, chair of the OSIA Initiative.

The initiative was launched in 2019 in response to feedback from national ID authorities that digital identity projects were being held back by vendor lock-in and related challenges.

“OSIA establishes equal marketplace conditions, fosters collaboration, and ensures product compatibility post-mergers and acquisitions,” says OSIA Advisory Committee Chair and Nigeria National Identity Management Commission CEO Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote. “The OSIA standardized interfaces drive innovation, enabling new local market models and reducing fraud within multiple ID systems. Additionally, OSIA addresses integrator/vendor lock-in, allowing governments to maintain control over their identity systems and pursue national development agendas seamlessly.”

The SIA was accepted as qualified to provide normative references for digital identity in 2022, paving the way for adoption of the recommendation by ITU-T.

ITU-T Study Group 17 is the UN ICT agency’s security expert group, and has taken responsibility for the Recommendation. Abbie Barbir, rapporteur for the ITU-T working group on “Identity management and telebiometrics architecture and mechanisms,” says the ITU is continuing to work with the SIA and OSIA on standards development.

Open Home Foundation launches to defend privacy, choice in smart homes

The Open Home Foundation has launched as a non-profit to support privacy, choice, and sustainability for smart homes. This will defend against surveillance capitalism, buyouts, and open-source projects becoming “abandonware,” organizers say.

The founders have transferred over 240 projects, standards, drivers, and libraries to the foundation including Home Assistant, ESPHome, Zigpy, Piper, and Improv Wi-Fi.

In partnership with Nabu Casa, a key funder that owns Home Assistant and ESPHome, the foundation collaborates on the development of open source projects. The overall aim of the foundation is to “have the resources to be an active political advocate,” it says in the announcement.

The group will educate the public, public servants, and private entities that offer smart home devices and services about the importance of open standards, open-source projects and data privacy.

Users should be able to control their data, and devices with cloud connection should still have a main functionality that works without the cloud. Devices should be interoperable and not require devices from specific manufacturers.

And users should be able to repurpose old devices beyond commercially-limited lifetimes as well as limit environmental impact by reducing waste.

Home Assistant first started 10 years ago after Paulus Schoutsen wrote lines of Python for his Philips Hue smart lights to gain control over a device he purchased. Thousands of volunteer contributors ended up turning that script into a smart home platform, creating an entire ecosystem of projects alongside it.

In 2018, Schoutsen, Ben Bangert, and Pascal Vizeli founded Nabu Casa as a for-profit entity to support the sustained development of Home Assistant. Nabu Casa also bought ESPHome with the same intentions. It joined organizations like the Connectivity Standards Alliance and Z-Wave Alliance in support of open standards like Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Matter.

In 2023, the smart home developers codified their ideals, which led to the launch of the Open Home Foundation. During the Foundation’s launch as part of the State of the Open Home 2024 event, the role of voice biometrics in identifying speakers, or at least differentiating between speakers in the same house, was discussed.

At this point, Home Assistant is known to have a steep learning curve, and onboarding devices can be complex. The smart home standard Matter has improved device interoperability and has facilitated easier onboarding.

The Home Assistant Green smart home hub will be sold on Amazon later this year, marking the first time the company will sell to consumers directly, Schoutsen told The Verge. The company will also launch the Home Assistant Connect dongles for the Zigbee and Z-Wave.

The little smart home platform that could

With the Open Home Foundation and a new roadmap, smart home platform Home Assistant is positioning itself as a…

www.theverge.com

EUDI Wallet Could Set Template for Japan’s Digital ID

The EU and Japan have enhanced their collaboration in digital technology by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation on digital identities and trust services during their second Digital Partnership Council meeting in Brussels. The deal aims to harmonize digital identity systems between the two, using the EU Digital Identity Wallet as a potential model for Japan. The partnership also addresses advancements in AI, 5G/6G, semiconductors, and quantum technology, with plans for joint research initiatives. The next council meeting is scheduled for 2025 in Tokyo, reinforcing the ongoing commitment to this strategic partnership.

Bank of Ireland Makes Big Bet on Voice Authentication

The Bank of Ireland is investing €34 million to overhaul its call center operations, incorporating voice biometrics for customer authentication as a central feature — a move that reflects a growing trend among global financial institutions to enhance customer service and operational efficiency through voice recognition technologies. Despite the advantages, this initiative comes at a time of heightened risk due to advancements in generative AI, such as OpenAI’s “Voice Generation” model, which can clone voices from brief audio samples.

UK Comms Regulator Opens OnlyFans Investigation

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has launched an investigation into OnlyFans, the adult content subscription platform, due to potential deficiencies in its age verification systems. The investigation follows earlier information requests from Ofcom in 2022 and 2023, which questioned the effectiveness of OnlyFans’ measures to prevent underage access. There are also concerns about possible non-transparency from OnlyFans’ parent company, Fenix International Limited, in previous regulatory responses. Despite OnlyFans’ use of facial scanning technology through Yoti, a government-approved age verification provider, issues have arisen, including discrepancies related to age thresholds.

New Helio Ring Tracks Pulse Data During Sleep

Zepp Health has launched the Amazfit Helio Ring in the United States, a smart wearable designed for athletes to enhance their performance and recovery tracking through biometric data collection. It pairs with compatible Amazfit smartwatches, integrating data into the Zepp App which serves as a centralized platform for viewing both workout data and recovery metrics. This includes detailed analyses of sleep quality, heart rate variability, and a daily Readiness score that advises on optimal training and recovery schedules.

The product will be available from May 15th, 2024, and is set for a global release following the U.S. launch.