New Orleans-Based Identity Verification Firm Linked to Massive Driver’s License Data Breach A New Orleans tech company, founded in 2003 by Russian immigrants Denis Petrov and Andrey Stanovnov, has come under FBI scrutiny following reports that data from over 150 million U.S. and Canadian driver’s licenses was exposed for sale on the dark web. The firm, which specializes in identity verification for industries like hospitality, finance, and secure facility access, serves nearly 4,000 customers, including major brands such as Hertz, GameStop, AMC Theatres, and Shell. The company, which processes 22 million scans monthly across 30,000 North American locations, expanded from its early focus on age verification for bars and hotels to advanced fraud prevention services. Despite its growth generating tens of millions in annual revenue and employing 150 people globally its New Orleans headquarters remains at the LSU Research & Technology Park ("The Beach"). Cybersecurity journalist Brian Krebs first reported the potential breach, suggesting attackers may have been "siphoning" data from the firm’s systems. The FBI’s New Orleans Field Office confirmed an ongoing investigation but declined further comment. Company officials, including spokesperson Jillian Kossman, acknowledged the reports as part of their internal review but provided no additional details. The firm’s leadership has seen recent changes, with Mike Eckert, former CEO of The Weather Channel, serving as chairman. Petrov, one of the co-founders, has since left the company. The incident underscores the risks in the $14 billion global identity verification market, where sensitive government-issued documents are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals.