Privacy is once again high on the agen-da in the opening months of 2014 as

the US National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) has called all stakeholders to work with it to develop a voluntary, enforceable code of conduct that specifies how the US Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights applies to facial recognition.

NTIA will hold the first meeting of a multi-stakeholder process regarding privacy and the commercial use of facial recognition technology on 6 February. Subsequent meetings will follow to June 2014.

The NTIA announcement of the meetings comments: “Facial recognition technology has the potential to improve services for consum-ers, support innovation by businesses, and affect identification and authentication online and offline. However, the technology poses distinct consumer privacy challenges, including: securing sensitive biometric data; providing transparency when facial recognition is implemented in retail stores or other public places; and developing meaningful controls for consumers when the source material for facial recognition technology – digital images – is often widely available.”

It adds, “Despite these challenges, facial recognition systems are becoming more wide-spread, and companies are incorporating facial

recognition capabilities into photo management software, in-store camera systems, online ser-vices, game consoles, and mobile devices.”

Discussion will focus on consumers’ rights to control their biometrics, transparency, security, access and accuracy, focused collection, and accountability within the context of current and emerging commercial uses of facial recognition technology.

There has been widespread speculation that the NTIA meetings follow a recent trademark application from Apple for facial recognition tech, or that they come in response to the poten-tial for Google Glass technology to be combined with facial recognition tech. In December 2013 Apple was granted a US patent that uses facial recognition technology to control a personal computing device, like an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

In fact, the privacy multi-stakeholder process regarding facial recognition technology is part of the framework set out in the White House’s February 2012 document ‘Consumer Data Privacy in a Networked World: A Framework for Protecting Privacy and Promoting Innovation in the Global Digital Economy’, dubbed the Privacy Blueprint.

The Privacy Blueprint directs NTIA to con-vene a series of multi-stakeholder processes that apply the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights to particular business contexts.

US authorities put facial recognition privacy at the top of their agenda

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Contents

biometric TECHNOLOGY

ISSN 0969-4765 January 2014 www.biometrics-today.com

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facial recognition

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www.biometrics-today.com

Fingerprint biometrics will drive biometric technology into the con-

sumer arena, according to analysis from Frost & Sullivan.

Its report, ‘Innovations in Biometrics for Consumer Electronics’, finds that fingerprint recognition will remain the leading biometric

Continued on page 2

Smartphone fingerprint biometrics to drive consumer uptake

News

US authorities put facial recognition privacy at the top of their agenda 1

Smartphone fingerprint biometrics to drive consumer uptake 1

Ericsson predicts biometric smartphone will hit mainstream in 2014 2

2014 global biometrics market worth $11.2bn 2

IARPA seeks improved unconstrained facial recognition 2

Gaming biometrics in security crossover 2

Tagging data algorithm negates need for facial recognition on social media 3

Eye movements verification and identification competition begins 12

Banks turn to voice for call centres 12

Vision-Box to install next gen e-gates at UK airports 12

Biometric tech secures Olympic stadium redevelopment 12

Features

Biometrics: making the mainstream 5

Steven Furnell and Nathan Clarke, Centre for Security, Communications and Network Research, Plymouth University, report on mobile consumer biometrics.

Q&A: Christoph Busch 9

Tracey Caldwell, editor, interviews Christoph Busch on topics ranging from fingerprint quality research to ear biometrics.

Regulars

Events Calendar 3

News in Brief 4

Product News 4

Company News 4

Comment 12

predictions