New ID Verification Android App

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Tracer

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Hi

We are working on a new Android app that will be offering a new service to the public in identity verification. The app will be submitted to the app store soon, but we are looking for some people who will be interested in testing it along with us before we release it.

The app is small and plain forward. Users will be able to verify the identity of any individual fast and free. The aim of this app is to assist users in not falling prey to scammers walking around with false identities.

The app is the first of its kind in SA and will not be like the normal verification apps available.

If you are interested in testing this app, please shoot me a pm.

T

Edit: The app is now available on the app store for those interested in trying it out. https://play.google.com/store/apps/...=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsIm9yZy5pZGVudGl0eU51bWJlciJd
 
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ABCpt

ABCpt

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Unless it has a photo as well for identification, it won't really stop 'false' identities. If someone has my name and Id number, the app will be able to say it is valid.
 
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Tracer

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Fudzy said:
What makes your app different from this one?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wynandbooysen.android.southafricanid&hl=en
Click to expand...

Our new app will verify the identity number based on the algorithm, full exact names and surname associated with it. We do not provide personal identifiable information, but the app verifies an identity number based on all 3 aspects. Our app will be the first free app where users can verify an actual ID Number, name and surname associated with it.

ABCpt said:
Unless it has a photo as well for identification, it won't really stop 'false' identities. If someone has my name and Id number, the app will be able to say it is valid.
Click to expand...

Don't hold your breath, as this will never happen in SA. No one, not even the police has access to photographs. Home Affairs do, but it is not digitized at this moment. All photographs are on file and needs to be pulled manually.

Yes, it is unfortunately true that when a person has the identity number, exact full names and surname of a person that fraud can still be committed, unless you see the actual ID document and know how to look for signs of tampering. But, our app will be very useful for someone who wants to buy or sell something and needs to quickly verify the identity of a buyer or seller.
 
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Park@82

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Tracer said:
Our new app will verify the identity number based on the algorithm, full exact names and surname associated with it. We do not provide personal identifiable information, but the app verifies an identity number based on all 3 aspects. Our app will be the first free app where users can verify an actual ID Number, name and surname associated with it.
Click to expand...
Where you involved with the other app as well or is this another developer?
 
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MKFrost

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I understand that an ID number can be analysed based on an algorithm to determine whether its valid or not but how ow will your app confirm that a certain name and surname belong to a particular ID number?

Only way in which you can do that will be to have access to home affairs and or another database which for me raises some security concerns. Could you perhaps provide more details on how your app will do this name/surname confirmation.
 
krieg

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Does seem to have access to some kind of database. Only matches when you enter all three fields correctly.
 
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MKFrost

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krieg said:
Does seem to have access to some kind of database. Only matches when you enter all three fields correctly.
Click to expand...

That is a concern, where is this database and who controls the access to it? If its part of the app what kind of protection does it have?

If a person gains access to that database he has access to the name, surname and ID number of every person in this country.
 
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Tracer

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Park@82 said:
Where you involved with the other app as well or is this another developer?
Click to expand...

No, we were not involved with that.

koeksGHT said:
How do we know you are not identity mining with the app?
Click to expand...

No data mining is taking place as no records are logged. The app simply works on the algorithm to determine validity and checks information against an external source.

MKFrost said:
I understand that an ID number can be analysed based on an algorithm to determine whether its valid or not but how ow will your app confirm that a certain name and surname belong to a particular ID number?

Only way in which you can do that will be to have access to home affairs and or another database which for me raises some security concerns. Could you perhaps provide more details on how your app will do this name/surname confirmation.
Click to expand...

Although the app works on the algorithm it also verifies an identity number against two credit sources, which we pay for. No data on an identity number is provided as the app only checks against the source. There is no access to Home Affairs and that is a problem with some identity numbers, especially when a person gets married and changes a surname and have not yet applied for credit again.

krieg said:
Does seem to have access to some kind of database. Only matches when you enter all three fields correctly.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is correct. See my answer above.
 
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F

Fudzy

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Looking at the Play store page and the name it's way too similar to the other app, I would suggest a name and logo change.

Also on your main website, you should automatically redirect to the ssl site if you're going to have a badge on there.
 
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T

Tracer

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Fudzy said:
Looking at the Play store page and the name it's way too similar to the other app, I would suggest a name and logo change.

Also on your main website, you should automatically redirect to the ssl site if you're going to have a badge on there.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advise Fudzy. We were not sure what to do with the home page until late today, as we wanted to keep the service limited to phone apps initially. The redirdect to the ssl has been fixed.

Yes, we will take a look at a new name for the app. We just used a generic term for what it does in the app store.
 
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House

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Very nice app and way to confirm the identity of someone. Will it not be costly to maintain?
 
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T

Tracer

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House said:
Very nice app and way to confirm the identity of someone. Will it not be costly to maintain?
Click to expand...

Yes, it will cost us some money, but if we can help prevent one person from falling prey to fraud, that would be worth our while.
 
whatwhat

whatwhat

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I would advise strong caution at this app, unless someone like rpm can verify what they are doing with the info.
All the app does is a POST to http://identitynumber.org/verify.php with the name, surname, ID number and waits for a response.

There is nothing else in the activity, and you just have to trust these guys not to just farm the data that was inputted.
 
airborne

airborne

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Something doesn't add up here, I also see data mining hovering in the background.
 
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