Automated facial comparison in the RNI registration process

Municipality of Montferland

This algorithm supports RNI staff in preventing "look-alike fraud" by comparing the face of the person at the counter with the image in the scanned identity document.

Last change on 1st of November 2024, at 16:51 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

• Publication category: Impactful algorithms
• Impact assessment: Field not filled in.
• Status: In use

General information

Theme

• Public Order and Safety
• International

Begin date

2023-06

Contact information

[e-mail]

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of this algorithm is to verify the identity of persons registering in the Non-Residents Registration (RNI). It compares the face of the person at the counter with the image in the scanned identity document and indicates with what certainty it is the same person. This supports the RNI officer in establishing identity and helps prevent "look-alike fraud".

The impact is that it increases the reliability of the RNI registration process and supports the RNI employee in making identity determination decisions.

Considerations

The deployment of this algorithm helps the RNI employee establish the identity of the citizen at the counter. It increases the reliability of the process and reduces the risk of identity fraud. At the same time, privacy implications and the role of human decision-making in the process have been carefully considered.

Human intervention

There is always human intervention. The RNI employee decides whether the face scan is used and what is done with the result. The employee is ultimately responsible for deciding on the identity determination and possible rejection of the registration.

Risk management

• The facial image is recorded in the system only during the identity determination process and is visible only to RNI staff. This reduces the risk of data leakage or manipulation.
• System performance is regularly evaluated to ensure accuracy.
• Strict access controls and security measures are implemented to prevent unauthorised access to the system.
• Employees are trained on how to use the system and recognise potential errors or limitations.

Legal basis

• BRP Act art. 2.67 4th paragraph: Legal obligation to establish proper identity
• BRP Decree art.35
• UAVG art. 29: Admissibility of biometrics for authentication

Operations

Data

The system uses:

• Facial scan of the person at the counter
• Scanned image from the identity document

Technical design

The system uses deep learning and advanced facial recognition APIs. Technical components include:

• ID scanner
• A4 scanner
• Scan server
• Small monitor
• Face scanner

The process is as follows:

1. The identity document is scanned.

2. A face scan is made of the person at the counter.

3. The algorithm compares the facial scan with the image from the identity document.

4. The result of the comparison is displayed on the monitor.

5. The RNI officer evaluates the result and makes a decision.

Only the result of the scan ('The faces are the same' or 'The faces are not the same') is logged in the RNI system.

External provider

ORIBI-ID solutions ( https://oribi.nl/ )