Researchers build ID data into smart clothing

How to store information in your clothes invisibly, without electronics — University of Washington — “Most people today combine conductive thread — embroidery thread that can carry an electrical current — with other types of electronics to create outfits, stuffed animals or accessories that light up or communicate… The UW researchers realized that this off-the-shelf conductive thread also has magnetic properties that can be manipulated to store either digital data or visual information like letters or numbers. This data can be read by a magnetometer, an inexpensive instrument that measures the direction and strength of magnetic fields and is embedded in most smartphones.”


Researchers develop continuous biometric login for smartphones

NSF grant to develop one-handed smartphone authentication — Illinois State University — “The interactions, such as strokes, that users make with their thumbs when working with smartphones can be very unique,” said Lai, who is an assistant professor in the School of Information Technology. “We can use these interactions to identify different users. This is what we call thumb biometrics.”



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White paper sets out how fashion brands can add payments, loyalty, ticketing and more to wearable devices

Covershot: "Enabling the future of wearables: Making payments a seamless experience"

Fashion brands looking to include payments capabilities in their wearable devices need solutions that are pre-certified, inexpensive, easy to implement and offer the wearer the ability to quickly and easily add their choice of payment, transit, loyalty and identity cards throughout the lifetime of their watch or fashion accessory, wearables platform provider Fidesmo explains in a new white paper which is now available to download free of charge from the NFC World Knowledge Centre... More



NFC World

NXP unveils world’s thinnest contactless chip module

NXP revolutionizes ID security and durability with world’s thinnest contactless chip module — NXP — PARTNER NEWS — “Measuring just 200μm thick ­— roughly four times the thickness of an average human hair — the MOB10 is 20% thinner than its predecessor and is ideally suited for use in ultra-thin inlays for passport data pages and identity cards.”


Maldives government combines passport, ID, driving license and payments on one contactless card

Maldives introduces most innovative ID card — Dermalog — “Maldives Immigration has just introduced a new, very innovative type of ID card: It can be used for payments, but also serves as a national ID card, as a driver´s license as well as a health card and insurance card. Last but not least it is also used like a passport for easy travelling… The new card is certified by the Bank of Maldives as well as by MasterCard.”


EU to enable national eID data to be used to secure third party online services

Ministerial declaration on eGovernment — the Tallinn Declaration — European Commission — “We will in our countries… enable the private sector to make use of national eID schemes and trust services in securing the delivery of their digital services, where beneficial to the citizen… We will in our countries… make it possible for citizens and businesses to digitally manage their personal data held by the public administration.”


Poland to introduce mobile ID cards

Poland to roll out mobile phone ID cards in 2018 — Phys.org — “The new system will be rolled out gradually, starting with young people. Mobile phone versions of driving licences, vehicle registration papers, student cards and other documents will follow… Citizens of the country of 38 million people will see their ID cards stored in the cloud and will be able to call up the documents on their mobile phones using a code received by text message.”


US government to explore new national ID concepts

The White House and Equifax agree: Social security numbers should go — Bloomberg — “The Trump administration is exploring ways to replace the use of Social Security numbers as the main method of assuring people’s identities in the wake of consumer credit agency Equifax Inc’s massive data breach. The administration has called on federal departments and agencies to look into the vulnerabilities of employing the identifier tied to retirement benefits, as well as how to replace the existing system.”


Asian banks develop blockchain-based customer identity platform

OCBC Bank, HSBC, MUFG, IMDA complete proof-of-concept KYC blockchain — Digital News Asia — “The KYC [Know Your Customer] blockchain – running on a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform which enables structured information to be recorded, accessed and shared across a distributed network using advanced cryptography – allows banks to collect, validate and share customer information – with the customer’s consent – accurately, efficiently and in a secured manner.”


What's New in Payments

American Express launches mobile-first credit card in Canada

American Express goes mobile-first with its new millennial-facing credit card — IT Business Canada — “According to AmEx director of new product development Laura Cocksedge, the card was designed start to finish as a mobile-first experience, with users able to use the Cobalt’s accompanying app to register for the card, verify their identities, track their spending, and use it with mobile payment platforms including Apple Pay, Android Pay, and American Express’s own AmEx Pay.”


Chinese government to embed eIDs in SIM cards

China to introduce eIDs embedded in SIM cards — ECNS — “China is planning to embed personal identity information into SIM cards to better protect citizens’ private information, according to the country’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS)… When making transactions with SIM eIDs, citizens will no longer need to provide personal information, such as their names, address, phone number, and ID number, because online platforms will be able to verify the authenticity and validity of the eID.”



What's New in Payments

Federal Trade Commission to investigate Equifax data breach

FTC probes Equifax, top Democrat likens it to Enron — Reuters — “The US Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday it was investigating Equifax Inc’s massive data breach, and a top Democrat suggested the credit monitoring company’s corporate leaders might need to resign… Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer compared Equifax to Enron, the US energy company that filed for bankruptcy in 2001 after revelations of a widespread accounting fraud.”




ANZ first Australian bank to roll out voice ID for mobile banking

ANZ first Australian bank to roll out voice ID for mobile banking — ANZ — “This is a significant security update that will make it easier for our customers to complete high-value transactions on their smartphones… Customers can now make ‘Pay Anyone’ payments of more than A$1,000 on their mobile without needing to log into internet banking, or remember additional passwords or pins.”


What's New in Payments

New Texas law allows merchants to decline card purchases without ID

New Texas law allows merchants to decline card purchases without ID — The Texas Tribune — “A law that takes effect in January will allow Texas merchants to ask for photo identification for credit and debit card purchases — and turn down transactions if a buyer won’t show it… Payments made using a mobile wallet are exempt from the photo ID measure.”