Video identification now also “Made in Austria”

From 2017, it will also be possible in Austria to identify yourself securely online via video chat. The FMA and the Federal Ministry of Finance have taken all necessary steps to enable internet identification in the context of online transactions in compliance with the Money Laundering Act (see also https://www.bmf.gv.at/finanzmarkt/geldwaesche-terrorismusfinanzierung/geldwaesche.html).

Other forms of identification, such as the Ident Brief from Austrian Post, personal identification on site or identification via the cell phone signature service, remain valid.

Identification via video chat

With video identification, the interested party is automatically connected to a specially trained agent via video chat using their PC or smartphone, who carries out a face-to-face identification with the interested party, similar to identification and ID verification at a bank branch. All the interested party needs is a valid official photo ID, a webcam (e.g. from their smartphone) and, of course, a sufficient internet connection.

Identification by video offers many advantages, both for the provider and for its customers

Even less experienced users should be able to find their way around the process, as an agent can provide personal assistance at any time. The process also makes things easier for customers, as they can carry out the necessary authentication for some products from the comfort of their own home at any time. Due to the widespread use of smartphones in Austria, the technical hurdle for this service should no longer be a problem

With a full-service solution, integration into existing online offers is usually quick and uncomplicated via standard interfaces. However, it is also possible for companies to operate the service themselves and connect it to their own (video) call center and systems.

POS Solutions GmbH from Upper Austria offers a solution for video identification that scales from out-of-the-box to customized solutions

POS Solutions GmbH has been offering solutions for all aspects of the point of sale since 2009, particularly in the field of digital biometric signatures, which are used by many Austrian financial companies, telecommunications companies and Austrian Post.

With its POSident product, POS Solutions GmbH is now also launching a legally compliant and easy-to-integrate solution for video identification. The solution can be operated by companies themselves in all its components or is available as a pure service from leading Austrian providers.