‘Verified.Me’ Identity Authentication App Coming Soon from Canada’s Big Banks

Verified.Me is a new online identify verification service from Toronto-based SecureKey, and it appears to be launching soon from its initial network members, which consist of Canada’s big banks.

Some RBC customers recently received notifications their online banking agreements have changed, asking them to review updates, set to come into effect on December 6, 2018.

One added change notes the “addition of the Verified.Me service”, as seen below:

Verified.Me, according to its website, is “a new way to help you verify who you are, so you can get access to the services you want faster online, in person and on the phone. Help verify your identity quickly, privately and securely, right from the mobile app on your smartphone.”

Initial participating network members include BMO, CIBC, RBC, Scotiabank, TD and National Bank, along with Desjardins and Sun Life Financial.

SecureKey says they are working with IBM to “build the first ever digital identity network in Canada,” which will be based on “IBM Blockchain on top of The Linux Foundation’s open source Hyperledger Fabric and enables a scalable group of individuals and institutions to quickly board the highly secured network with minimal operational effort.”

Simply put, blockchain is a transparent and tamper-proof digital ledger, which we have all heard about for tracking digital cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. With IBM’s blockchain solution—introduced last year—it will allow corporate customers to set up a private, trusted ledger, accessible to partners to share information easily and securely.

The Verified.Me website shows an app on Apple’s iPhone X, suggesting it will support Face ID, while other biometrics such as Touch ID.

With Verified.Me, the identity network would theoretically make it easier for Canadians to authenticate themselves for logging into various banking and government websites, or other services which require a form of ID as verification.

Thanks Jay