NCIT Reintroduces eFaas Online Face Verification

The National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) has reinstated the online face verification feature for the National Digital Identity platform, eFaas, after a temporary suspension to switch service providers. This feature is now available on the eFaas web platform across all major browsers.

The change in providers follows public concerns regarding the previous contractor, Sum and Substance Pvt Ltd (Sumsub), a UK-based company with Israeli ownership. As a result, NCIT terminated its contract with Sumsub and partnered with Regular Forensics, a Latvian firm specializing in digital security services with over 30 years of experience. Regular Forensics is renowned for its expertise in identity verification and forensic devices, working with sectors like border control, finance, and government agencies.

Dr. Mohamed Kinaanath, the State Minister for Homeland Security and Technology, who oversees NCIT, highlighted the agency's commitment to improving the eFaas system. He stated, “Our goal is to continuously enhance the eFaas system and make it a model for the country’s digital expansion while maintaining public trust.”

NCIT reassures users that personal data, including photographs, is securely stored within the organisation and not shared with external parties. The eFaas platform’s primary aim is to ensure that government digital services are accessible solely to the authorized individuals, reducing the risk of identity theft and fraud.

Before online face verification was implemented, users of eFaas had to verify their identities in person or via video calls to designated centers. The reintroduction of the online face verification feature aims to streamline the process, providing users with a more convenient and secure way to access digital services.