The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated a new program called the Remote Identity Validation Rally (RIVR), consisting of technology challenges designed to advance remote identity validation capabilities. The program aims to strengthen digital identity verification and combat fraud in online government and commercial services, building upon the DHS’s previous initiatives in mobile identity testing and validation.
The initiative brings together several key federal agencies, including the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Forensic Laboratory, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These organizations will collaborate to evaluate and enhance technologies that authenticate identity documents and verify individuals through smartphone-captured images. The collaboration supports the TSA’s ongoing expansion of its digital ID acceptance program at airports nationwide.
“For many years, we have been relying on S&T’s scientifically rigorous and independent testing of our identity technology and processes,” said Jason Lim, TSA Identity Management Capability Manager. “TSA is very pleased to once again partner with S&T on the continuation and expansion of this effort to ensure that remotely enrolled digital identities meet our threshold of trust, security, and privacy as the use of digital IDs, including mobile driver’s license, continues to expand.”
“It is vital that we understand the capabilities of these technologies,” said NIST Biometrics Evaluator Patrick Grother. “Therefore NIST is enthusiastic to contribute to this important ongoing effort through robust technology evaluations and standardized metrics.”
The RIVR program will evaluate systems that match selfie photos to identity documents and assess document authenticity, similar to solutions already deployed by various states in their mobile driver’s license implementations. Technology developers interested in participating in the initial RIVR challenges must submit applications by April 11, 2025. The DHS plans to announce additional technology evaluations later in the year, focusing on various aspects of remote identity validation.
The HSI Forensic Laboratory will contribute its expertise to ensure the scientific validity and reliability of the remote identity validation technologies under evaluation. The comprehensive testing approach aims to establish trusted standards for digital identity verification as the adoption of mobile driver’s licenses and other digital IDs continues to grow, with several states already implementing digital ID programs across the country.
Sources: THX News, Passenger Terminal Today, Security Links
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