Digital identity verification is the process of using digital solutions to obtain proof that the user is who they claim to be. Digital ID verification solution methods are used to compare something that a user provides (a government-issued ID, an ID photo, a password, etc.) with some data that has already been verified by the service provider (ID document, the photo of the document holder, a password, etc.) and is stored in its database.
Online service providers use different methods to gather proof of their user’s identity and determine the legitimacy of the information provided. So what are the methods?
How do you verify identity digitally?
Each company chooses specific verification methods to add an additional layer of protection to its online platform. The main digital ID verification methods are listed below.
ID document verification
Financial institutions use this method when onboarding new clients to check whether it’s you who submitted the government-issued identity documents (passport, ID card, or driver’s license) and if the documents are legitimate. That’s why they ask you to take a picture of your ID document and a selfie and upload both to their website.
Their artificial intelligence software (sometimes designated staff members as well) checks the uploaded images to verify the authenticity of the ID document and to make sure the selfie and the image on the document are of the same person.
Knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
This method involves answering security questions, for example, when you are trying to create a new email account. They are usually personal questions, so the email provider assumes that you are the only one who knows the answers.
If you forget your email password, the email provider asks you these questions to establish if it’s really you, the owner of the account, who is initiating password recovery.
