In an age where technology is advancing at a breakneck pace, it’s no surprise that our banking systems are also evolving. However, with these changes come new requirements that can sometimes leave customers feeling uncomfortable or frustrated. This was the case for an ANZ customer who recently expressed her displeasure over the bank’s demand for a selfie to access her account online.
The customer’s frustration was palpable as she took to social media to accuse ANZ of ‘taking a picture of me without my permission when they made me re-register on their app.’ This requirement is part of ANZ’s selfie identity verification process, which is becoming increasingly common among banks and financial institutions in Australia.
ANZ responded to the customer’s concerns by explaining that the Selfie ID is a security measure designed to protect customers and their money. It’s a mandatory step for all customers setting up an ANZ Plus account, the bank’s digital banking service launched in March 2022, which boasts over 900,000 customers. The process is also used when customers need to reset their PIN or increase their payment limits.
The way it works is simple yet sophisticated: once a customer uploads their selfie, it is compared against identity documents from the company’s database or their photo in their government ID. This extra layer of protection is intended to combat identity fraud, an increasingly common crime in the digital age.
ANZ isn’t alone in this practice. Other financial institutions such as Bank First, Beyond Bank, Wise, and Revolut also use selfie verification as part of their online identity checks. Even the government’s digital ID system, myID, offers a voluntary selfie identity verification option, where users can take a selfie that is matched with the photo on their passport and then deleted shortly after verification.
While some customers may find this new requirement intrusive, it’s important to understand the context. Data breaches are more widespread than ever, and people in possession of identity documents are not always the legitimate owners. Selfie verification is one of the tools being used to ensure that the person accessing an account is indeed who they claim to be.
It’s also worth noting that many banks have been using biometric recognition technology for some time now. Commonwealth Bank, for instance, introduced Face ID for account access back in 2017, and NAB has plans to replace passwords with passkeys and biometric recognition, including facial recognition or fingerprint.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on online banking and the new security measures. Have you used selfie verification for your accounts? What are your views on using biometric data for access? Feel free to share your experiences and any tips for fellow members in the comments below!
Also read: The rise and rise of facial recognition technology
