Face Authentication

🔹 Definition

Face Authentication is a biometric security method that verifies an individual’s identity by analyzing and matching facial features captured through a camera with a previously enrolled reference image. It is commonly used in digital onboarding, eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer), and secure access systems to authenticate users in a fast, contactless, and user-friendly manner.

Face authentication is increasingly integrated into compliance workflows, replacing or enhancing traditional login methods such as passwords or PINs, and enabling non-face-to-face identity verification.

🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How does face authentication work?
The process typically involves:

• Capturing a live image or video of the user
• Comparing it against a stored image (e.g., from a government-issued ID or prior enrollment) using facial recognition algorithms
• Performing liveness detection to ensure the user is physically present and not using a photo, video, or mask
• Confirming a match and granting or denying access based on confidence thresholds

Q2: Is face authentication secure?
When properly implemented, yes. Security features may include:

• Liveness detection to block spoofing attacks
• 3D facial mapping for higher accuracy
• Encryption and device-level processing to protect biometric data
  However, vulnerabilities can exist if systems are not regularly updated or tested against deepfakes and synthetic identity attacks.

Q3: How is face authentication used in compliance and AML?

• During remote onboarding to verify that the person submitting documents matches the identity
• In high-risk transactions to confirm user presence and authorization
• As part of multi-factor authentication (MFA) in secure platforms
• For ongoing customer monitoring and fraud prevention in regulated environments

Q4: What are the privacy and regulatory considerations?
Face authentication involves processing biometric data, which is classified as sensitive personal data under laws like:

• GDPR (EU)
• PDPA (Singapore)
• CCPA (California)
  Organizations must ensure informed consent, secure storage, limited retention, and compliance with local data protection obligations.