Facebook acquires biometric ID verification startup Confirm.io

The startup offers an API that helps verify government-issued identification cards.

The acquisition is part of Facebook’s effort to minimise the presence of fake profiles on its platform. (REUTERS)

Facebook has acquired a biometric ID verification startup named Confirm that specialises in remotely verifying IDs like drivers licenses.

The startup offers an application programming interface (API) that helps verify government-issued identification cards.

"We're excited to announce that we have agreed to be acquired by Facebook! This is the culmination of three years of hard work building technology that will keep people safe and secure online," Confirm said on its website.

The acquisition, for which financial details were not disclosed, is part of Facebook's effort to minimise the presence of fake profiles on its platform.

"We are excited to welcome the Confirm team to Facebook. Their technology and expertise will support our ongoing efforts to keep our community safe," Facebook told TechCrunch.

"We're ready to take the next step on our journey with Facebook. However, in the meantime this means all of our current digital ID authentication software offerings will be wound down," Confirm said.

In India, Facebook has run a small test with users to enter their names as per their Aadhaar, to help them sign up to the social network with their real names and connect with friends and family.

"The test, which has now finished, merely includes additional language on the account sign-up page to explain that using their Aadhaar name will help family and friends recognise them," Facebook said in a statement.

"We are not collecting Aadhaar data and do not require people to enter their Aadhaar name when they sign up to Facebook," the company stressed.

Facebook has over 217 million monthly active users in India and 212 million of them are active on smartphones. It has 2.1 billion monthly active users globally.