Biometric Verification

Biometric verification is the process of identifying a person via their unique physiological characteristics, including fingerprints, face and voice. Biometric technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize and classify a person’s features, and ensure no one else is trying to bypass a system and gain access to online accounts.

The use of biometric technology has rapidly increased in the past years to verify identities for online access and detect illicit activity.

Three examples of biometrics include fingerprint recognition, facial verification and voice recognition.

• Fingerprints: We’re all familiar with unlocking our phones or logging into a bank account using our fingerprints. India’s biometrically-verifiable identification number system, known as Aadhaar, is an example of the power biometrics can have beyond just logins. The system — which ties a person’s biometrics to their Aadhaar number — was introduced in 2009. The ability to identify oneself with fingerprints now powers payment solutions such as Micro ATMs.
• Facial verification: Face scans are an even newer technology to unlock phones and gain access to digital services. Beyond unlocking devices, many businesses have adopted facial recognition technology like Onfido’s identity verification solutions to onboard new users or re-verify them when they return in high-risk moments. Facial recognition uses AI to scan features and determine if a real user is present (versus a mask or a digital attack by a fraudster), and can match a user’s biometrics to an identity document.
• Voice recognition: Voice recognition technology uses unique markers in a person’s voice sample to check against a stored voice print and determine a match for verification.

Three main uses of biometrics include mobile access and authentication, airport security and online banking. The application of biometrics in banking and payments is something we’ll dive into more below.

• Mobile access and authentication: Until recently, a user would unlock their personal mobile device with a passcode. As technology evolved, devices started to store and recognize their owner’s fingerprint, and now, they can be unlocked with facial biometrics. The device initially takes and stores the user’s biometric sample, and the user is asked to present their fingerprint or face to authenticate or gain access each subsequent time.
• Airport security: Biometrics are also used to check and clear travelers at airport security checkpoints. This contactless method can automate identity verification for everything from fast-track trusted-traveler lanes to using facial recognition as a boarding pass.
• Online banking: Biometrics also offer a fast and secure way to gain access to online banking. A banking app on a mobile device might be locked behind the same biometric technology used to lock and unlock the device itself. A user may have to scan their fingerprint or face again on an unlocked device, to open the online banking app. Banks are increasingly using biometrics to allow new customers to open an account, which is where they are used as an identity verification method for onboarding.

The main difference between Selfie ID verification and Motion verification is the type of biometric capture. For Selfie ID verification, users take a selfie and submit the image. For Motion verification, users turn their head from one side to the other in a video capture. Both offer customers a low-friction way to verify their biometrics. We analyze the user’s biometrics to ensure it matches the photo on the ID, and check for signs of fraud. Selfie ID verification protects against digital spoofs like photos of photos, screens, or photocopies, while Motion verification offers greater protection from sophisticated attack methods like 2D/3D masks and deepfakes.