The use of facial matching technology has been successfully employed by the Department for a number of years. What is proposed, in the context of this competitive tender process, is a continuation and upgrade of this existing technology.
The Public Services Card does not store biometrics. While the card does store the person’s photograph and it appears on the card, it does not store the biometric or arithmetic template of that photograph. Nor is the biometric or arithmetic template of the photo stored in the PSI dataset or shared with other public bodies.
My Department uses facial image matching software to strengthen the SAFE
registration process. The normal digital photograph in JPEG format is captured during the SAFE
registration process and is inputted into and stored in this facial image matching software. It is then modelled and searched against the Department’s photo database to ensure that the person in the photograph has not already been registered using a different Personal Public Service Number or a different identity dataset.
The software compares photographs by converting the image into an arithmetic template based on the individual’s facial characteristics and checking it against the other image templates already held in that software’s database from other SAFE
registrations. It is a similar approach to that taken by the Passport Office in its systems when processing passport applications/renewals.
The arithmetic models behind the photographs are never stored on the PSC or in the Public Service Identity dataset. They are stored only in the facial image matching software’s database held in the Department’s own secure data centres.
The Department does not ask for or collect biometric data from our customers e.g. fingerprints or retinal scans. Neither does it use advanced facial mapping cameras when taking the photo as part of the SAFE registration process. The process involves the digital photos collected being passed through a piece of facial matching software to detect and prevent error or suspected fraudulent activity.
The database mentioned in the facial image matching tender is referring to a dedicated facial matching server which is hosted in a secure site within the Department. Facial templates are loaded to a dedicated facial matcher server.
The current matching system is over 5 years old and upgrading the system will result in achieving significantly improved matching accuracy which, in turn, will lead to increased efficiencies and effectiveness for the Department. The process will involve the application of the upgraded algorithm to all of the facial templates currently on the facial matching server in order to improve matching accuracy.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
