Germany’s government has contracted a service for the upkeep and enhancement of the National Biometric Matching Service (NBMS) 2.0, with an emphasis on system improvements and bug fixes. The contract follows ongoing debates regarding the use of facial recognition technology, particularly by law enforcement, under the EU’s AI Act.
Germany’s central government has signed a contract to enhance and maintain the National Biometric Matching Service (NBMS) 2.0, a key component of its biometric identification framework. The contract, worth approximately 383,685.75 euros (around US$399,000), was awarded after receiving three tenders and is focused on bug resolution, performance improvements, and optimizations in the system. The NBMS is operated by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and serves an essential function in automated biometric identification, including facial recognition capabilities. The software employs Java to support image quality checks, biometric verification, and identification processes, with requests submitted via a REST interface.
As a backend solution, the NBMS also provides interfaces for testing and managing biometric algorithm performance. The decision to contract for updates comes amidst ongoing discussions in Germany about the ethical application of facial recognition technology, particularly in policing, as governed by the European Union’s AI Act. While the NBMS functions as a retrospective identification system, law enforcement agencies are exploring the restricted deployment of live facial recognition under certain legal conditions.
The National Biometric Matching Service (NBMS) 2.0 plays a crucial role in Germany’s approach to biometric identification. Developed by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) under Project 433, this automated biometric identification system (ABIS) uses advanced Java software to facilitate the identification and verification processes necessary for effective law enforcement and security operations. The current contract aims to refine this service further, ensuring that it remains aligned with both technological advancements and legal stipulations relating to biometric data usage.
The recent contract awarded by the German government emphasizes the significance of maintaining and upgrading biometric systems like the NBMS 2.0, focusing on essential fixes and enhancements. Amidst the backdrop of legal debates about the implementation of facial recognition technology, this service’s development will play a pivotal role in how biometric identification is used in Germany. Ensuring a balance between technological efficiency and ethical considerations remains a priority.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
