WorldReach signs multi million-pound contract with UK Home Office for biometric digital onboarding

Oct 15, 2018 | Chris Burt

The UK Home Office has contracted WorldReach Software to provide digital enrollment with facial recognition and liveness detection through user smartphones to help improve the customer journey for individuals accessing Home Office services, according to an announcement.

WorldReach’s Know Your Traveller (KYT) platform will be used to deliver remote identity verification through smartphone apps. In addition to biometrics, smartphone apps will read and authenticate ePassport chips. The platform was prototyped and tested largely through innovation project co-funded by Defense Research and Development Canada’s (DRDC’s) CSSP (Canadian Safety and Security Program).

“We are extremely proud to be selected for this innovative digital enrolment capability for a new and important Home Office programme,” Gordon Wilson, President of WorldReach states, “The KYT platform is purpose-built for applicant enrolment and identity verification using trusted document authentication, and will be applied to the Home Office’s digital services delivery.”

The contract is based on the G-Cloud 10 Framework, and will pay WorldReach multiple million GBP for two years plus two additional option years to support the EU Exit Settlement Scheme.

The Home Office is in the midst of tendering several contracts related to biometrics, including one for biometric testing and development services.