Facial Verification Technology for National Identity Scheme in Singapore
Singapore will become the world’s first country to use facial verification in its national ID scheme, but privacy advocates are alarmed by what they say is an intrusive system vulnerable to abuse. From next year, millions of people living in the city-state will be able to access government agencies, banking services and other amenities with a quick face scan. This biometric check will do away with the need to remember a password or security dongle when performing many everyday tasks, its creators say.
The biometric check will give Singaporeans secure access to both private and government services. The government’s technology agency says it will be “fundamental” to the country’s digital economy. It has been trialled with a bank and is now being rolled out nationwide. It not only identifies a person but ensures they are genuinely present.
The technology will be integrated with the country’s digital identity scheme SingPass and allows access to government services. This is the first time that cloud-based facial verification has been used to secure the identity of people who are using a national digital identity scheme.
Benefits of Facial Verification Technology Solution:
Simple to use
A brief facial verification biometric scan requires no effort from the user. As it compares the user’s physical face to the image held in the Government biometric database, the user does not have to enrol in the program.
Increases accessibility
By encouraging Singaporeans, especially older residents with limited mobility, to use online banking and other services.
Improves inclusivity
For those without smartphones, by extending the service to Government agencies’ kiosks.
Gives private businesses
Both large and small, the ability to grow their digital services without needing to build their own infrastructures and biometric database.
Grows the digital economy
Encouraging uptake and use of online services, both from government and private businesses.
Increases security
Passwords and other credentials stolen through phishing attacks will be useless as Genuine Presence Assurance checks that the individual is the right person, real person, authenticating right now.
Improves convenience
Millions of Singapore residents, who will be able to easily and securely access government and business services online using their existing national identity.
How Facial Verification Works in Singapore?
SingPass is every Singapore resident’s digital identity. It has evolved into a gateway allowing secure access to over 500 digital services offered by more than 180 government agencies and commercial entities. Singapore is already allowing private sector organizations to leverage the government-built identity infrastructure for SingPass. Banks and other businesses, large and small, can securely integrate with SingPass facial verification, to offer customer authentication capabilities without the cost of building their own systems.
The system automatically enables four million SingPass users to authenticate themselves and prove that they are genuinely present when accessing online government services on computers or at kiosks. Activities such as completing a tax return can now be completed with a simple facial verification biometric scan, replacing the need to remember passwords.
