New procedure in automated identity verification:

Research project enables authentication of ID document scans

jenID Solutions GmbH has launched the research project “Technology for detecting tampering with scans of identity documents”. The aim is to detect tampering with ID documents that have been captured as a single image by commercially available scanners. The Free State of Thuringia is supporting the project together with the EU with around 400,000 euros. The project is scheduled to run until August 2026.

When opening an account, renting a car, gambling, at border controls, at the airport, when registering for exams or dealing with the authorities: identity checks are required in many places.

The aim of the research project that has been launched is to simplify all applications in which flatbed scanners are used and still guarantee the highest security requirements. All that is needed is a standard multifunction printer or scanner that captures the ID document as a single image with white light.

This is how the new solution will work

The scanned image of the ID document is sent to the existing jenID software solution Genuine-ID. This is connected via an interface to servers that are located in Germany and are subject to the GDPR. Here, the scan image is checked for security features and tampering attempts.

The check is extended by the following points, among others:

• Checking for any invalidation of the document
• Copy detection: excludes the possibility that it is a scanned image of a copy
• Check for changes to the image (e.g. pasted image or digital manipulation)

The overall solution should include an import function for evaluation at the end. The results of the check are then transferred via an interface to the company carrying out the check. The data on the server is deleted.

AI recognizes manipulation attempts

As part of the research project, jenID is building a database consisting of document copies of known manipulation attempts. Machine learning is used to train the algorithms so that they reliably detect tampering attempts.

Significant increase in security with fully automated verification

According to a current draft bill from the Federal Ministry of Finance, fully automated identity checks will also be possible in future when opening bank accounts in addition to the video ID procedure – if they are verifiably secure.

“The expansion of our solution significantly improves the depth of verification, so that automated verification not only with a scanner, but also with a smartphone, for example, becomes more secure,” explains Michael Weisbach, CEO of jenID Solutions.

Authentication with Genuine ID is fully automated in all steps and is therefore significantly faster, more secure and more user-friendly than the authentication of documents by untrained personnel. At banks and savings banks, the new procedure with scanners can then be used by existing customers from home when applying for loans or new accounts, for example. For new customers, biometric verification is mandatory under the Money Laundering Act.