The FIDO Alliance has introduced the first globally available certification program aimed at testing and certifying the performance of remote biometric identity verification technologies. This initiative, known as the Face Verification Certification program, seeks to ensure accuracy, liveness, and bias mitigation when verifying users against trusted identity documents.
The launch comes amidst increasing demand for biometric identity solutions and heightened concerns over online identity theft and systemic biases. The program rigorously tests technologies through a minimum of 10,000 assessments, evaluating performance across different demographics, including skin tone, age, and gender. It also measures resistance to spoofing and deepfake attacks and assesses usability and security by analysing False Reject and Accept Rates (FRR and FAR).
Biometrics are globally favoured by consumers for secure log-ins, yet issues like bias and new security threats persist. Recent evaluations by NIST have identified performance disparities across demographics, influencing consumer trust. Research from the FIDO Alliance reveals 50% of American and British consumers would lose trust in an organisation if its biometric system displayed bias, while 22% would cease using the service entirely. Furthermore, the rise of deepfake technology has increased consumer apprehension about online verification.
Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director and CEO of the FIDO Alliance, emphasised the importance of certification in enhancing trust and facilitating innovation within the ID ecosystem. He noted that while biometric solutions offer significant benefits, concerns about identity theft and bias have led some organisations to delay implementation.
“Certification unlocks the power of open standards and catalyses ecosystem-wide innovation and opportunity,” Shikiar stated.
iProov, a leading provider of biometric solutions, is the first company to complete the certification process. Andrew Bud, founder and CEO of iProov, highlighted the necessity of balancing security, inclusivity, and user-friendliness in biometric systems. He praised the FIDO Face Verification Certification program for providing a reliable benchmark for the industry.
The FIDO Alliance’s new certification program aims to address critical issues of accuracy and bias in biometric identity systems, providing organisations with a trusted standard to ensure robust and inclusive deployment. As the program gains traction, it is expected to set a new quality benchmark for the evolving landscape of biometric technology.
