Latest news with #biometricdata
Khaleej Times
21-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Used AI to create cartoon avatars? You may be risking data theft, deepfakes
Have you uploaded your photo to an AI app to get a cute cartoon version of yourself? You might want to think twice — an authority in Abu Dhabi issued a warning on Monday about serious privacy risks that go beyond the fun. The Department of Government Enablement-Abu Dhabi has alerted the publich of concerns around the growing popularity of AI-powered applications that transform personal photos into cartoon characters or digital avatars, cautioning that many users are unknowingly exposing sensitive biometric data. In a statement posted through X, the authority highlighted that while uploading such images may seem harmless, it can pose serious privacy and security risks, as this data could be misused for commercial exploitation or malicious purposes, including identity theft and fraud. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The department also shared a video addressing the risks associated with these applications. By using just one photo, users have trained AI to recognise and use their face. The video further warned about potential misuses of personal images, including the creation of fake accounts, fraudulent schemes, and deepfake videos emphasising that users are not just sharing a photo but giving away their biometric identity. 3 tips To help users protect their privacy, the Department provided several recommendations: Delete unnecessary apps and photos you previously uploaded on AI apps Limit app permissions, and block full access Share knowledge among your family and friends to raise awareness on the underlying risks Earlier this year, cybersecurity experts raised similar concerns about the viral Ghibli trend that transformed personal photos into Studio Ghibli-inspired avatars. Nicolai Solling, Chief Technology Officer at Help AG, warned that when creating such avatars, users often upload photos that capture detailed facial features, which can include biometric data that is irreplaceable if compromised. 'The use of these avatars introduces significant risks, primarily related to personal data,' Solling had said. He pointed out that uploaded images may contain hidden metadata, such as device details and location, which could inadvertently expose sensitive information about the user's whereabouts. Many AI-driven platforms utilise user-uploaded data to enhance their algorithms, and unless users are paying for the service, their images, including facial data, may be used to train AI models, raising serious concerns about data ownership and privacy. Social media experts also highlighted the surge in user engagement driven by AI-generated avatars, emphasising that while these avatars allow for creativity and self-expression, users must remain vigilant about the potential privacy implications.
Coin Geek
08-07-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Eswatini advance digital ID plans
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... African governments have been making strides in digital transformation, with Nigeria, Somalia, Namibia, South Africa, and Eswatini the latest to launch new initiatives. Nigeria uses digital wallets to maintain dignity in aid disbursement Nigeria has launched a few digital identity initiatives in recent years, including its ID4D initiative backed by $430 million in funding from the World Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Its latest is an aid disbursement initiative that relies on digital wallets and biometric data to maintain the dignity of the recipients, while cutting costs and increasing efficiency. The government has partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP) to distribute aid to over 750,000 Nigerians displaced by natural disasters and insecurity. According to local outlets, the initiative is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. It combines food vouchers with a biometrics-powered digital wallet that guarantees that only the intended recipients can access the aid. Nigeria has reported dozens of cases in which corrupt individuals have hijacked aid disbursement programs and embezzled funds. In 2024, the country's anti-graft agency recovered ₦33 billion ($29 million) that had been embezzled at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. Legislators are also currently probing the agency that disburses student loans, with claims that of the ₦100 billion ($67 million) released by the government, only ₦28.8 billion ($19 million) reached students. The use of biometric data and the digital wallet seeks to curb this graft. Additionally, it will curtail duplication and guarantee that aid is delivered directly to those who need it most. With the funds delivered to their digital wallets, the recipients can choose when and how to use them, preserving their dignity, Minister Nentawe G. Yilwatda says. The program initiates the groundwork for the government's vision to 'restore hope, enhance food security, and lay the groundwork for sustainable return, recovery, and prosperity' to regions vastly affected by civil wars and climate crises, he added. It's not the first time the Nigerian government has used digital identification to distribute aid. It integrated biometric verification into its social welfare programs in 2024, reaching 25 million residents. The Southern African nation of Botswana has also integrated a similar biometric data-based system that it used in May to distribute aid to over 75,000 citizens. Eswatini, South Africa sign digital cooperation agreement Elsewhere, South Africa has signed a Declaration of Intent with its neighbor, Eswatini, to align efforts in developing the digital economy. According to one local outlet, the pact will extend to the latest technologies, from cybersecurity and e-governance to artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G rollout. The two countries will also partner on harmonizing their ICT policies and regulations and conduct joint research in emerging technologies. The agreement also extends to digital literacy, focusing on women and the youth. With digital commerce rapidly rising, the two neighbors also intend to modernize their postal networks to support the sector. Eswatini is a tiny landlocked country surrounded by South Africa, except on the northeastern border, which it shares with Mozambique. With an estimated population of 1.255 million and a GDP of $5.2 billion, it's one of Africa's smallest nations. 'This partnership underscores our shared vision for a digitally empowered Africa. By aligning our efforts, we not only enhance regional cooperation but also equip our citizens, particularly the youth and women, with the tools to thrive in the digital age,' commented Savannah Maziya, the Eswatini Minister of ICT. Somalia launches biometric border control system In East Africa, Somalia has launched a new biometric border control system developed by the U.S. government to boost security. The system, known as the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES), was developed by the U.S. State Department three decades ago and initially screened travelers against shared watchlists. It uses facial recognition, fingerprint readers, and other scanning software to identify targets. It's currently being used by two dozen countries. The U.S. government has been widely involved in the rollout, including by training Somalian officials on using the new system. This system is the latest initiative by the U.S. government to aid in digitalizing the Somalian government's services. Earlier this year, the FBI revealed that it was involved in operating and maintaining the Somalia Automated Biometric Identification System, a counterterrorism and e-governance system. Watch: Tech redefines how things are done—Africa is here for it title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
CNET
26-06-2025
- CNET
Microsoft Is Getting Rid of Passwords in One Month. Here's What You Need to Do ASAP
If you rely on Microsoft Authenticator to store your passwords, time is winding down. Starting in August, Microsoft will require you to use passkeys instead of keeping all of your Microsoft passwords on its mobile app and your old passwords will vanish. But that's not bad news. Passkeys can cut out risky password habits that 49% of US adults have, according to a recent CNET survey. Making it a practice to use the same password for multiple accounts or include personal hints, like your birthday, can be risky. It could be an easy giveaway for hackers to guess, which can lead to identity theft and fraud. Here's what you need to know about Microsoft's timeline for the switch and how to set up passkeys for your Microsoft accounts before it's too late. Microsoft Authenticator will stop supporting passwords Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all of your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition such as Windows Hello, or other biometric data, like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you're logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your Microsoft accounts. In June, Microsoft stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator, but here's a timeline of other changes you can expect, according to Microsoft. July 2025: You won't be able to use the autofill password function. You won't be able to use the autofill password function. August 2025: You'll no longer be able to use saved passwords. If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. "Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts," said Attila Tomaschek, CNET software senior writer and digital security expert. Why passkeys are a better alternative to passwords So what exactly is a passkey? It's a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That's generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack. "Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks," Tomaschek added. Passkeys aren't stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they're stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager. How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. "If you have a password and 'one-time code' set up on your account, we'll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you're signed in, you'll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you'll be prompted to sign in with your passkey," according to the blog post. To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select "Set up a passkey." You'll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you're logged in, you can set up the passkey.
BreakingNews.ie
12-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Public Services Card database of millions of Irish people's faces declared illegal
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has found that the collection of facial (biometric) data for the Public Services Card (PSC) is unlawful. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) said it partially welcomes the findings, but said the decision is "more than a decade late and inadequate". Advertisement The Government had previously claimed that the facial records were not biometric data. On Thursday, the DPC found that the Department of Social Protection (DSP) unlawfully collected facial records (biometric data) from 70 per cent of the population of Ireland over 15 years. In addition, the ICCL said the department failed to tell people why it was collecting their facial records and whether it was legal. In light of the infringements discovered by the DPC, it reprimanded the Department of Social Protection by issuing administrative fines totalling €550,000. It also issued an order to the department requiring it to cease processing of biometric data in connection with SAFE 2 registration within nine months of this decision if the department cannot identify a valid lawful basis. Advertisement Deputy commissioner, Graham Doyle, said: 'It is important to note that none of the findings of infringement identified, nor the corrective powers exercised by the DPC, pertain to the rollout of SAFE 2 registration by the DSP as a matter of principle. "The DPC did not find any evidence of inadequate technical and organisational security measures deployed by the DSP in connection with SAFE 2 registration in the context of this inquiry. "This inquiry was concerned with assessing whether the legislative framework presently in place for SAFE 2 registration complies with the requirements of data protection law and whether the DSP operates SAFE 2 registration in a data protection-compliant manner, and the findings announced today identify a number of deficiencies in this regard.' 'Illegal facial database' The ICCL said the Data Protection Commission failed to take decisive action on Thursday and said that, after 15 years, its actions are not enough. Advertisement The ICCL is insisting on the immediate deletion of the illegal facial data database. It has also called for the department and the DPC to explain to the Oireachtas and the public how this system was permitted to operate unlawfully for so long. Executive Director of ICCL, Joe O'Brien, said: 'For many years, ICCL and our colleagues at Digital Rights Ireland, have argued that the PSC's mandatory use of facial recognition technology is unlawful. 'This is a partial win for the privacy and data protection rights of people living in Ireland. It confirms what we have advocated for, for many years - that the Public Services Card, which was estimated to have cost the State €100 million, trespassed upon human rights and infringed EU and Irish law. 'The DPC decision is over a decade late and does not go far enough. The Department effectively created a de facto national biometric ID system by stealth over 15-plus years without a proper legal foundation. This illegal database of millions of Irish people's biometric data must be deleted.'
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
July 4 deadline for voters to enrol for Samoa election
Photo: 123RF Samoans living abroad must complete their full voter registration by 4 July if they wish to vote in the country's upcoming general election. Samoa's Electoral Commissioner, Toleafoa Tuiafelolo John Stanley, said while online registration is still available for overseas voters, completing the process requires a physical return to Samoa to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs. But he said the electoral office was "doing fine" to be ready. "Before the early dissolution of parliament, the voter registration was 48 percent. As we speak, just looking at that system right now, 2pm [10 June] the voter registration is now 60 percent. "The number of voters registered is 70,395." The electoral roll will close on 4 July. People have been turning up in droves to register. "You should see the booths right now - there's heaps of people coming in," Toleafoa said. "Last night, the booths closed at 11. That's when they completed everybody - 11pm. But we were supposed to close at eight. My staff had to work overtime just to make sure everybody was registered." Toleafoa also confirmed that a bill which would have enabled overseas voting was not passed before Parliament dissolved. This means the Electoral Act 2019 remains in force and votes have to be cast in Samoa. "That bill hasn't been discussed by Parliament - so parliament [has] been dissolved and the bill is still hanging there." On Wednesday, 11 June, the commissioner is to release the election timetable which includes the opening and closing dates of nominations and the period for any withdrawal of nominations. The election date itself is 29 August. The Electoral Office submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court seeking an extension for the elections, to allow more preparation time, but this request was denied . The country's political turbulence started in January and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa faced two votes of no confidence, her first on 25 February and her second on 6 March. But last month she conceded defeat after her government's budget was voted down. Parliament was formally dissolved on 3 June.
