Mitek acquires biometrics firm ID R&D to integrate anti-spoofing technology
Digital identity and verification firm Mitek has acquired ID R&D, a voice and facial biometrics company.
ID R&D shareholders will receive $49 million in cash and Mitek stock
Based in New York, ID R&D provides technology to detect and mitigate against identity theft, up to and including the use of deepfake technology and synthetic voices.
Mitek says ID R&D’s multi-modal approach to identity authentication “directly addresses” these threats by combining passive facial liveness and voice anti-spoofing technologies.
When users open a new account remotely or attempt to make a high-value transaction, they are verified through a combination of digital identity credentials and a selfie.
“Today’s consumers are transacting in a digital-first world, and they expect to trust technology to keep them safe against burgeoning threats,” says Mitek CEO, Max Carnecchia.
“Rapid advances in artificial intelligence are enabling novel forms of fraud, which means technologies like those pioneered by ID R&D are critical in this fight.”
The deal results in ID R&D shareholders receiving $49 million in Mitek stock and cash as a consideration.
In addition to integrating into the Mitek solution, ID R&D will continue to offer its core biometric components directly to the market.
“Consumers want an easy, frictionless experience,” says Alexey Khitrov, CEO at ID R&D.
“This move accelerates our vision to be the industry’s centre of excellence to fight fraud more seamlessly without inconveniencing customers.”
