Biometrics

The science of measuring and analysing unique physical or behavioural characteristics of an individual for identification or authentication. Common biometric identifiers include fingerprints, facial features, iris patterns, voice prints, and even typing patterns.

SEO Breakdown: The Power of "You": Biometrics in African Digital Identity

Biometrics are revolutionising how we verify identities in Africa.  By leveraging unique physical or behavioural traits inherent to each individual, biometrics offer a secure and convenient solution for verifying user identities in a region experiencing rapid digital growth.

Understanding Biometric Identification and Authentication

Biometric identification involves comparing an individual's captured biometric data (e.g., fingerprint scan) against a stored template in a database to confirm their identity.  

Biometric authentication, on the other hand, verifies a claimed identity by comparing a captured biometric sample (e.g., facial recognition) against the user enrolled with a specific device or application.

Common Biometric Technologies Used in Africa: 

• Fingerprint Recognition

One of the most widely used biometric technologies globally, fingerprint recognition offers a high level of accuracy and is well-suited for various applications in Africa due to its ease of use and affordability, however, fingerprint recognition faces a scalability problem, especially in Africa’s dynamic market, unlike facial biometrics which everybody with a smartphone can have access to.

• Facial Recognition

Advancements in facial recognition technology are making it increasingly popular in Africa. However, factors like lighting variations and headwear use require careful consideration for optimal performance. To effectively utilise facial recognition technology you need a facial recognition tool that is optimised for internet fluctuations and lower-end devices which is prevalent in the African market. 

• Iris Recognition

Offering a high degree of accuracy, iris recognition is gaining traction in some African markets, particularly for high-security applications.

Benefits of Biometric Verification for Businesses in Africa

• Enhanced Security: Biometrics provide a more robust layer of security compared to traditional methods like passwords, which can be forgotten or stolen. This is crucial for protecting user data and preventing unauthorised access in the African digital identity ecosystem.

• Improved User Experience: Biometric verification methods can be faster and more convenient for users compared to manual verification processes. This can streamline customer onboarding and improve overall user experience.

• Reduced Risk of Fraud: The inherent uniqueness of biometric identifiers makes it significantly more difficult to impersonate another individual, minimising the risk of fraudulent activities.

Smile ID - Your Partner in Secure Biometric Verification

SmileID's biometric solution leverages facial recognition technology to enhance security and prevent fraud during customer onboarding and identity verification processes. Here's a breakdown of its key functionalities:

• Identity Verification

SmileID can match a user's selfie against a variety of reliable sources, including over 20 government ID databases and hundreds of official photo IDs across Africa. This helps ensure that only legitimate users are registering for accounts.

• Duplicate Account Detection

The system scans a user's selfie against a database of previously verified faces, identifying potential duplicate accounts that could be linked to fraudulent activity.

• Liveness and Spoof Detection

To prevent unauthorized access through fake photos or videos, Smile ID's solution incorporates liveness detection and spoof prevention measures. This ensures that the user is physically present during the verification process.

• High Accuracy for Diverse Faces

SmileID's facial recognition technology is specifically designed to perform well with faces of all skin tones. Trained on a massive dataset of over 5 million faces, the system boasts a real-time matching accuracy rate of 99.8%, ensuring reliable user identification.

How our Biometric Solution Works 

Step 1: Register the User's Image

Register the selfie photo a user took during their KYC verification or upload a photo of an existing user.

Step 2: Smile for a selfie

Capture a new selfie image at the login or checkout points of a transaction.

Step 3: Authenticate the user

Authenticate the identity of the user by matching the selfie they have taken to the registered image on file.

Businesses can perform this via our no-code platform or API/ SDK integration. Book a free demo today to learn more.