Initially used to train facial recognition software, hyper realistic 3D masks are now being used for more nefarious purposes; such as fooling cameras for online identity checks.
What is a 3D Mask?
Well they literally are like something out of a Mission Impossible movie. One of the first companies to make hyper-realistic 3D masks is a Japanese company called REAL-f Co, who construct the masks out of resin and plastic.
Each mask replicates the tiniest details of a person’s face, down to an eye’s blood vessels and fine skin wrinkles. - The Verge
The masks have a growing number of applications in the tech industry, with tech many of which are related to safety and security. 3D masks are being used to train self-driving software; can the car accurately detect when a person has fallen asleep and the self-driving tech needs to kick in? There are many more subtle uses and the masks are used to train facial recognition on the many tiny changes in a person’s facial expression.
Other silicone masks have been tested successfully to move people through passport control undetected. New research revealed that in a test where individuals were to determine whether a person sitting 2 metres away from them was wearing a mask, the majority could not detect it at all:
The findings showed that only 13% of participants detected the mask straight away. Of the remaining participants, only 11% reported that they had detected the mask when presented with a series of questions, one of which asked if they thought the traveller was wearing a disguise. - SAGE Journals
How does Raytio determine identity?
Now that we see the depth of the problem, what is Raytio doing to accurately verify identity online? Raytio has integrated with more data sources to allow the widest range of information to be verified by authoritative entities such as government, credit bureau and banks. With Raytio, clients can access credit reports, business and property data, bank documents and transactions, accounting transactions, education transcripts, immigration entitlements and more.
To read more about what Raytio can do, you can check out the features page.