The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is deploying facial recognition software to address the growing problem of fraudulent grant claims, particularly within its Social Relief of Distress (SRD) program.
The technology will be used to verify the identities of individuals flagged as “referred” due to potential irregularities, as well as when recipients update sensitive personal details such as mobile numbers.
SASSA faces significant financial pressures and increasing fraudulent activity surrounding its grant programs. A recent increase in the SRD grant amount further emphasizes the need for robust security measures. Facial recognition aims to protect the program’s integrity and ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries.
Unlike other SASSA grants that require in-person applications with built-in verification, the digital-only SRD application process is more susceptible to manipulation. SASSA’s facial recognition system addresses this vulnerability by providing an additional layer of biometric identification.
Clients flagged as “referred” will receive an SMS notification with a secure link to initiate facial recognition verification. SASSA offers clear instructions on how to capture an optimal image, ensuring accurate authentication.
Though the use of facial recognition technology marks a significant step in SASSA’s efforts to streamline identity verification, combat fraud, and protect the integrity of its social assistance programs, the use of biometric authentication is not a new development for the agency. As far back as 2018, SASSA announced the development of a multimodal biometric verification engine for its grant cards, in a partnership led by Magix Africa and including Dataproof and biometrics specialist Fides Cloud Technologies.
Source: The South African
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May 8, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis
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