- Email: [email protected]
India's massive biometric enrolment project comes a step closer
TECHNOLOGY
www.biometrics-today.com
ISSN 0969-4765 July/August 2009
Contents
database/enrolment
India's massive biometric enrolment project comes a step closer
T
he next phase of the potentially massive Indian biometric enrolment project is underway with the appointment of the well-known outsourcing guru Nandan Nilekani to take over as chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India. Nilekani takes up the new position, following his resignation from Infosys, the outsourcing IT giant that he co-founded. Nilekani’s department will now work on producing Unique Identification Numbers for each of India’s citizens. Each unique number will include personal and demographic detail of the residents and will be associated with that person’s biometric information. Nilekani is working towards introducing the first set of Unique Identification Numbers within the next 12-18 months, although analysts are reported as saying they feel it will take at least four years for the project to reach critical mass. The UID Authority was set up in November last year. The proposed system envisages collaboration among several government agencies backed by intensive use of information technology. India has long felt a need for a system of unique identification of every individual for a variety of purposes such as better targeting of government’s development schemes, regulatory purposes (including taxation and licensing), security purposes, banking and financial sector activities, etc. In the absence of such a nationwide system, each sector of the economy or department/ agency of the government adopts its own system of identification such as PAN card, ration card, Electoral Photo Identity Card, credit cards, and so on. Such specific purpose identities were often found to have inherent limitations in accuracy and currency levels on account of low frequency of usage. Moreover, the multiplicity of such systems renders it impossible to
TODAY
biometric correlate information across sectors and even across institutions within the same sector for providing better services to people. Similarly, different agencies of government are unable to correlate their data relating to any particular individual. The Unique Identity Project seeks to assign a unique identity (UID) number to each individual in the country that would remain a permanent identifier right from birth to death of the individual. From the point of view of any person in the country, the UID offers many benefits. First and foremost, it would obviate the need for a person to produce multiple documentary proofs of his identity for availing of any government service, or private services like opening of a bank account. According to the Government this would end needless harassment that people face for availing of basic government services like issuance of passports, driving licences, Electoral Identity Cards, etc. Backed by intensive use of technology, such as biometrics, the project would greatly facilitate easy verification of a person’s identity and enable a single communication to trigger address changes in all relevant agencies records. It would also serve as the basis for many e-governance services incorporating online verification of a person’s identity. The scheme envisages that at the inception, the UID number will be assigned to all voters by building on current electoral roll data and progressively adding other persons including persons below 18 years of age who are not a part of the voters list in the country. Photographs and biometric data will be added progressively to make the identification foolproof. It is expected that usage of UID will be progressively extended to various government
News Highlights India’s massive biometric enrolment project comes a step closer
1
Healthy start for South African health passport
2
Ubiquitous biometric authentication predicted by 2020
3
No hockey stick curve for biometrics
4
GMAC passes stringent French privacy tests
4
ID card subcontracts awarded in the UK 5 Israeli biometric database under fire
12
Vodafone uses contact centre biometrics
12
Business Watch Precise Biometrics achieves strong growth
6
AuthenTec acquires Atrua Technologies
6
UAE and Sagem sign partnership agreement
6
Feature The importance of biometric standards Biometrics improving financial accessibility
7 10
Regulars News in Brief Events Calendar Editor’s Comment
3–6 5 12
Continued on page 2...
ISSN 0969-4765/09 © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.
NEWS ...Continued from page 1 Editorial Office: Elsevier Ltd The Boulevard Langford Lane Kidlington Oxford OX5 1GB, UK Fax: +44 (0) 1865 843973 Email: [email protected] Website: www.biometrics-today.com Publisher: Laurence Zipson E-mail: [email protected] Editor: Mark Lockie Tel: 029 20 560458 Production Support Manager: Lin Lucas Emial: [email protected] Subscription Information An annual subscription to Biometric Technology Today includes 10 printed issues and online access for up to 5 users. Prices: 991 for all European countries & Iran US$1072 for all countries except Europe and Japan ¥131 700 for Japan (Prices valid until 31 December 2009) To subscribe send payment to the address above. Tel: +44 (0)1865 843687/Fax: +44 (0)1865 834971 Email: [email protected], or via www.biometrics-today.com. Subscriptions run for 12 months, from the date payment is received. Periodicals postage is paid at Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. Postmaster send all USA address corrections to: Biometric Technology Today, 365 Blair Road, Avenel, NJ 07001, USA This newsletter and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier Global Rights Department, PO Box 800, Oxford OX5 1DX, UK; phone: +44 1865 843830, fax: +44 1865 853333, email: [email protected]. You may also contact Global Rights directly through Elsevier’s home page (www.elsevier.com), selecting first ‘Support & contact’, then ‘Copyright & permission’. In the USA, users may clear permissions and make payments through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA; phone: +1 978 750 8400, fax: +1 978 750 4744, and in the UK through the Copyright Licensing Agency Rapid Clearance Service (CLARCS), 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0LP, UK; phone: +44 (0)20 7631 5555; fax: +44 (0)20 7631 5500. Other countries may have a local reprographic rights agency for payments. Derivative Works Subscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of articles including abstracts for internal circulation within their institutions. Permission of the Publisher is required for resale or distribution outside the institution. Permission of the Publisher is required for all other derivative works, including compilations and translations. Electronic Storage or Usage Permission of the Publisher is required to store or use electronically any material contained in this journal, including any article or part of an article. Except as outlined above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the Publisher. Address permissions requests to: Elsevier Science Global Rights Department, at the mail, fax and email addresses noted above. Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/ or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, in particular, independent verification of diagnoses and drug dosages should be made. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical (medical) standards, inclusion in this publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the quality or value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.
02265 Pre-press/Printed by Mayfield Press (Oxford) Ltd.
2
Biometric Technology Today
programmes and regulatory agencies, as well as private sector agencies in the banking, financial services, mobile telephony and other such areas. Over a period of time, the UID is expected to become the single universal identification mechanism across all institutions of the government and the private sector in the country, the government claims. The project has raised interest from many corporate entities. Indeed on a recent trip to India, Bill Gates, said that Microsoft would be keen to partner India in the project. “Microsoft wants to be part of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) project,” he said at a joint event with Nasscom. It is possible there could be a potential conflict between Nilekani’s present role and the interests of Infosys Technologies, of which he was co-founder. It was reported in local press that IT vendors that could be involved in bidding for the project include Infosys Technologies, TCS, Wipro and Mahindra Satyam. Nilekani dismissed the claims saying he would disassociate himself from the decision to award contracts if there were any potential conflict. An initial provision of Rs. 120 crore (US$25 million) has been proposed for this project.
healthcare
Healthy start for South African health passport
A
n ambition to roll out biometricbased health passports to people across South Africa has got off to a more than healthy start, according to priv-ID, a spin-out company of Royal Philips Electronics. In collaboration with the Medical Knowledge Institute, priv-ID’s latest biometric health passport roll out is in the township of Cape Town, Khayelitsha. The health passports will record the relevant medical history and a priv-ID biometric identity check is performed to establish a link between the health passport and its rightful owner. The organizations say that the project is the start of a large roll out of health passports with biometrics in South-Africa. The scheme has the backing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (a member of MKI’s International Board of Advisors), who urged
South Africans to take advantage of the new technology: “I salute priv-ID and MKI for having developed this important initiative. Now, it is up to you, to support this venture by putting your very own Health Passport to work – carry it with you whenever you seek medical help, and make sure that it is always up-to-date with all information regarding your health status, and the health status of your children.” priv-ID and the MKI have introduced the health passport in three locations: in Khayelitsha, a township near Cape Town, where MKI has established two of its Health Information Centres, and in two nearby healthcare facilities that are associated with the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS). The Health Passport is targeted at users of local health care facilities and especially mothers and their children who visit local MKI Health Information Centres. The passport-sized document is convenient for the patient, because of its size that fits into almost any pocket. It is equally convenient for the medical personnel to retrieve in a fast, reliable and most effective and complete way the past medical history of the patient, including all previously performed blood tests. The major reasons for the introduction of a biometric health passport are: UÊ >Û}Ê i>Ì ÊvÀ>ÌÊ>VViÃÃLiÊÊ>Ê convenient and reliable manner; UÊ «ÀÛi`ʵÕ>ÌÞÊvÊV>ÀiÊÜÌ ÊÀi>LiÊ>`Ê unpolluted patient records by means of biometric identity verification; UÊ Ài`ÕViÊVÃÌÊÌiÊEÊiÞ®ÊvÀÊ«>ÌiÌÃÊ>`Ê care-providers by having readily available the relevant health information; UÊ VÌÀÊÛiÀÊÜÊ i>Ì ÊvÀ>ÌÊ>`Ê increased responsibility for their health and the health of their family Biometric fingerprint recognition is used to verify the identity of the passport holder. The priv-ID software makes it possible to uniquely verify the identity of the patient in a fully anonymous and privacy compliant manner, in an environment without centralized data storage or ICT infrastructure. Priv-ID says this approach reduces medical errors due to mistaken identities and it is an effective tool to battle against insurance fraud. Michiel van der Veen, CEO at priv-ID said: “Biometric information is considered personal data and the priv-ID software makes it possible to enjoy the great benefits of biometrics, while keeping the biometric information fully anonymous and private. We are very enthusiastic about the biometric health passport and its potential to help many people.”
July/August 2009
www.biometrics-today.com
ISSN 0969-4765 July/August 2009
Contents
database/enrolment
India's massive biometric enrolment project comes a step closer
T
he next phase of the potentially massive Indian biometric enrolment project is underway with the appointment of the well-known outsourcing guru Nandan Nilekani to take over as chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India. Nilekani takes up the new position, following his resignation from Infosys, the outsourcing IT giant that he co-founded. Nilekani’s department will now work on producing Unique Identification Numbers for each of India’s citizens. Each unique number will include personal and demographic detail of the residents and will be associated with that person’s biometric information. Nilekani is working towards introducing the first set of Unique Identification Numbers within the next 12-18 months, although analysts are reported as saying they feel it will take at least four years for the project to reach critical mass. The UID Authority was set up in November last year. The proposed system envisages collaboration among several government agencies backed by intensive use of information technology. India has long felt a need for a system of unique identification of every individual for a variety of purposes such as better targeting of government’s development schemes, regulatory purposes (including taxation and licensing), security purposes, banking and financial sector activities, etc. In the absence of such a nationwide system, each sector of the economy or department/ agency of the government adopts its own system of identification such as PAN card, ration card, Electoral Photo Identity Card, credit cards, and so on. Such specific purpose identities were often found to have inherent limitations in accuracy and currency levels on account of low frequency of usage. Moreover, the multiplicity of such systems renders it impossible to
TODAY
biometric correlate information across sectors and even across institutions within the same sector for providing better services to people. Similarly, different agencies of government are unable to correlate their data relating to any particular individual. The Unique Identity Project seeks to assign a unique identity (UID) number to each individual in the country that would remain a permanent identifier right from birth to death of the individual. From the point of view of any person in the country, the UID offers many benefits. First and foremost, it would obviate the need for a person to produce multiple documentary proofs of his identity for availing of any government service, or private services like opening of a bank account. According to the Government this would end needless harassment that people face for availing of basic government services like issuance of passports, driving licences, Electoral Identity Cards, etc. Backed by intensive use of technology, such as biometrics, the project would greatly facilitate easy verification of a person’s identity and enable a single communication to trigger address changes in all relevant agencies records. It would also serve as the basis for many e-governance services incorporating online verification of a person’s identity. The scheme envisages that at the inception, the UID number will be assigned to all voters by building on current electoral roll data and progressively adding other persons including persons below 18 years of age who are not a part of the voters list in the country. Photographs and biometric data will be added progressively to make the identification foolproof. It is expected that usage of UID will be progressively extended to various government
News Highlights India’s massive biometric enrolment project comes a step closer
1
Healthy start for South African health passport
2
Ubiquitous biometric authentication predicted by 2020
3
No hockey stick curve for biometrics
4
GMAC passes stringent French privacy tests
4
ID card subcontracts awarded in the UK 5 Israeli biometric database under fire
12
Vodafone uses contact centre biometrics
12
Business Watch Precise Biometrics achieves strong growth
6
AuthenTec acquires Atrua Technologies
6
UAE and Sagem sign partnership agreement
6
Feature The importance of biometric standards Biometrics improving financial accessibility
7 10
Regulars News in Brief Events Calendar Editor’s Comment
3–6 5 12
Continued on page 2...
ISSN 0969-4765/09 © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.
NEWS ...Continued from page 1 Editorial Office: Elsevier Ltd The Boulevard Langford Lane Kidlington Oxford OX5 1GB, UK Fax: +44 (0) 1865 843973 Email: [email protected] Website: www.biometrics-today.com Publisher: Laurence Zipson E-mail: [email protected] Editor: Mark Lockie Tel: 029 20 560458 Production Support Manager: Lin Lucas Emial: [email protected] Subscription Information An annual subscription to Biometric Technology Today includes 10 printed issues and online access for up to 5 users. Prices: 991 for all European countries & Iran US$1072 for all countries except Europe and Japan ¥131 700 for Japan (Prices valid until 31 December 2009) To subscribe send payment to the address above. Tel: +44 (0)1865 843687/Fax: +44 (0)1865 834971 Email: [email protected], or via www.biometrics-today.com. Subscriptions run for 12 months, from the date payment is received. Periodicals postage is paid at Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. Postmaster send all USA address corrections to: Biometric Technology Today, 365 Blair Road, Avenel, NJ 07001, USA This newsletter and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier Global Rights Department, PO Box 800, Oxford OX5 1DX, UK; phone: +44 1865 843830, fax: +44 1865 853333, email: [email protected]. You may also contact Global Rights directly through Elsevier’s home page (www.elsevier.com), selecting first ‘Support & contact’, then ‘Copyright & permission’. In the USA, users may clear permissions and make payments through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA; phone: +1 978 750 8400, fax: +1 978 750 4744, and in the UK through the Copyright Licensing Agency Rapid Clearance Service (CLARCS), 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0LP, UK; phone: +44 (0)20 7631 5555; fax: +44 (0)20 7631 5500. Other countries may have a local reprographic rights agency for payments. Derivative Works Subscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of articles including abstracts for internal circulation within their institutions. Permission of the Publisher is required for resale or distribution outside the institution. Permission of the Publisher is required for all other derivative works, including compilations and translations. Electronic Storage or Usage Permission of the Publisher is required to store or use electronically any material contained in this journal, including any article or part of an article. Except as outlined above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the Publisher. Address permissions requests to: Elsevier Science Global Rights Department, at the mail, fax and email addresses noted above. Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/ or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, in particular, independent verification of diagnoses and drug dosages should be made. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical (medical) standards, inclusion in this publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the quality or value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.
02265 Pre-press/Printed by Mayfield Press (Oxford) Ltd.
2
Biometric Technology Today
programmes and regulatory agencies, as well as private sector agencies in the banking, financial services, mobile telephony and other such areas. Over a period of time, the UID is expected to become the single universal identification mechanism across all institutions of the government and the private sector in the country, the government claims. The project has raised interest from many corporate entities. Indeed on a recent trip to India, Bill Gates, said that Microsoft would be keen to partner India in the project. “Microsoft wants to be part of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) project,” he said at a joint event with Nasscom. It is possible there could be a potential conflict between Nilekani’s present role and the interests of Infosys Technologies, of which he was co-founder. It was reported in local press that IT vendors that could be involved in bidding for the project include Infosys Technologies, TCS, Wipro and Mahindra Satyam. Nilekani dismissed the claims saying he would disassociate himself from the decision to award contracts if there were any potential conflict. An initial provision of Rs. 120 crore (US$25 million) has been proposed for this project.
healthcare
Healthy start for South African health passport
A
n ambition to roll out biometricbased health passports to people across South Africa has got off to a more than healthy start, according to priv-ID, a spin-out company of Royal Philips Electronics. In collaboration with the Medical Knowledge Institute, priv-ID’s latest biometric health passport roll out is in the township of Cape Town, Khayelitsha. The health passports will record the relevant medical history and a priv-ID biometric identity check is performed to establish a link between the health passport and its rightful owner. The organizations say that the project is the start of a large roll out of health passports with biometrics in South-Africa. The scheme has the backing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (a member of MKI’s International Board of Advisors), who urged
South Africans to take advantage of the new technology: “I salute priv-ID and MKI for having developed this important initiative. Now, it is up to you, to support this venture by putting your very own Health Passport to work – carry it with you whenever you seek medical help, and make sure that it is always up-to-date with all information regarding your health status, and the health status of your children.” priv-ID and the MKI have introduced the health passport in three locations: in Khayelitsha, a township near Cape Town, where MKI has established two of its Health Information Centres, and in two nearby healthcare facilities that are associated with the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS). The Health Passport is targeted at users of local health care facilities and especially mothers and their children who visit local MKI Health Information Centres. The passport-sized document is convenient for the patient, because of its size that fits into almost any pocket. It is equally convenient for the medical personnel to retrieve in a fast, reliable and most effective and complete way the past medical history of the patient, including all previously performed blood tests. The major reasons for the introduction of a biometric health passport are: UÊ >Û}Ê i>Ì ÊvÀ>ÌÊ>VViÃÃLiÊÊ>Ê convenient and reliable manner; UÊ «ÀÛi`ʵÕ>ÌÞÊvÊV>ÀiÊÜÌ ÊÀi>LiÊ>`Ê unpolluted patient records by means of biometric identity verification; UÊ Ài`ÕViÊVÃÌÊÌiÊEÊiÞ®ÊvÀÊ«>ÌiÌÃÊ>`Ê care-providers by having readily available the relevant health information; UÊ VÌÀÊÛiÀÊÜÊ i>Ì ÊvÀ>ÌÊ>`Ê increased responsibility for their health and the health of their family Biometric fingerprint recognition is used to verify the identity of the passport holder. The priv-ID software makes it possible to uniquely verify the identity of the patient in a fully anonymous and privacy compliant manner, in an environment without centralized data storage or ICT infrastructure. Priv-ID says this approach reduces medical errors due to mistaken identities and it is an effective tool to battle against insurance fraud. Michiel van der Veen, CEO at priv-ID said: “Biometric information is considered personal data and the priv-ID software makes it possible to enjoy the great benefits of biometrics, while keeping the biometric information fully anonymous and private. We are very enthusiastic about the biometric health passport and its potential to help many people.”
July/August 2009