Biometric Identity
Biometric identity is the binding of a verified identity to a person's facial characteristics, established during onboarding and used afterwards to confirm that the same individual is acting on the account.
Why it matters
It links the document-based identity proven at onboarding to every later interaction, closing the gap that account-takeover fraud exploits.
How it works
- Verify the identity document and match its portrait to a live selfie.
- Enrol the face as the reference for the customer.
- Re-authenticate with a fresh selfie and liveness check when risk demands.
- Detect duplicate enrolments across the customer base.
Common challenges
- Accuracy across diverse populations and capture conditions.
- Governance of biometric data under privacy law.
- Fraudsters enrolling multiple identities with one face.
How IDWise supports this
IDWise addresses this within the Continuous Trust Platform through the following modules, configured per market, product line and risk tier.
Frequently asked questions
How is biometric identity established?
By matching a live selfie to a verified government document at onboarding.
Can one face open many accounts?
Duplicate account detection compares each new selfie against enrolled identities to prevent this.
Is biometric identity data special category data?
Under GDPR-style laws, yes; it requires a lawful basis such as explicit consent or a legal obligation.
Related terms
Talk to an IDWise specialist about your markets, regulators and risk controls.