UAE: Facial recognition instead of Emirates ID card readers will now verify identity

Dubai: The next time you visit a bank or any government centre, your face and Emirates ID will now be linked. Instead of having your Emirates ID scanned, a new facial recognition system will identify you within three seconds. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has announced the launch of an upgraded version of facial recognition system for the digital certification portal.

It is a new generation of digital certification services of facial recognition that will replace an ID card reader.

The introduction of the reformed digital certification is a ‘Year of the 50’ project and also in line with the UAE’s ‘Go Digital’ programme, which aims to digitise government service centres.

Earlier, the ICA had announced upgrades to the Emirates ID, with new features, including a 3D picture using laser-printing technology to show the date of birth of the cardholder.

Who can avail the facial recognition service?

This service is available to all valid Emirates ID cardholders above the age of fifteen. The facial print is activated by your passport number and unified number, also known as UID, which is a unique nine-digit code on the residence visa page of your passport.

How does it work?

Instead of reading the data on the card and passport, private and public services will be able to derive that information from your face print. The digital certification system is available to the following sectors:

• Banking

• Healthcare

• Business sectors

• Government and public entities

Procedure for government customer service stations

At the customer happiness centres of government departments, here is how the facial recognition technology will be used:

• An employee at the station will use a facial recognition camera.

• Your face print will be used to match your Emirates ID in the system.

• Once matched, you will receive a One Time Password (OTP), which you would need to provide to the employee.

• He or she will then enter the OTP. After the OTP is entered, the digital verification service will display your residency details as well as your family and dependents tree, which will show family members under your sponsorship and other information pertaining to identity and citizenship.

Facial scanning at self-service machines and on smart apps

The same facial recognition system will also be employed at self-service machines and on smart apps, where you can use facial recognition to log in or create an account on any government smartphone application.

This will further streamline the processes related to government procedures, allowing applicants to apply for various services without the need to visit a customer happiness centre.

For example, the ‘ICA UAE’ smartphone application, which is available for both Apple and Android deices, allows applicants to apply Emirates ID, residence and citizenship services.