Google and Entrust Partner on AI ID Checks in UK
Google and digital security firm Entrust have teamed up in the UK to deploy an AI-driven identity verification solution. The system combines biometric checks with document analysis to combat rising fraud, particularly the creation of synthetic identities. The partnership aims to provide a more secure and frictionless onboarding experience for financial institutions.
- The partnership leverages Google's multimodal Gemini AI, which can process and reason across various information types like images and text simultaneously, to enhance Entrust's document and biometric verification capabilities. This collaboration aims to specifically combat the rise in "injection attacks," which have seen a 40% year-over-year increase, by providing more sophisticated fraud detection and real-time analytics. - Entrust's role is strengthened by its 2024 acquisition of Onfido, a UK-based AI-powered identity verification leader with over $140 million in annual revenue and clients like Revolut. This acquisition brought in significant talent and technology, which is now integrated into Entrust's portfolio. - Onfido, now an Entrust company, is a certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP) under the UK's Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework. This certification is crucial as the UK government recommends its use for mandatory checks like Right to Work, Right to Rent, and criminal record screenings (DBS). - The collaboration will provide financial institutions with detailed reporting on fraud patterns and emerging threats through Google Cloud's infrastructure, which is a direct response to the increasing difficulty in identifying AI-generated fake identity documents. - Incoming Entrust CEO Tony Ball, who takes over in March 2026, is strategically shifting the company's focus from just customer onboarding to managing the entire identity lifecycle. This includes re-verifying identities at critical points like linking bank accounts or applying for loans. - The move comes as the global identity verification market is projected to grow from over $14 billion in 2025 to more than $43 billion by 2033, with the banking and financial services sector being a primary driver due to stringent KYC and AML regulations. - While competitors like Jumio, Trulioo, and IDnow offer robust identity verification services, the integration with Google's Gemini AI and cloud infrastructure is positioned as a key differentiator for Entrust in handling the scale and complexity of AI-driven fraud.
