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Biometric authentication has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, revolutionizing various sectors such as identity, travel documents, smartphones, airport security, online banking, and more. Despite its apparent novelty, biometrics has a rich history dating back centuries.
Today, there is a major race by companies to further expand and break new ground in the field. At the forefront of this journey to advance biometrics, Semlex, a company specializing in biometrics, leads the pack due to its emphasis on transparency, compliance with regulations, and equality in its biometric solutions.
But first, let’s journey back to the past.
The use of biometrics for identification and security purposes can be traced to ancient times, when fingerprints and handprints were used as signatures and seals. However, the formal use of biometrics began in the late 19th century with the work of Alphonse Bertillon. In 1879, Bertillon developed a system of anthropometry, which involved measuring various physical features, such as height, weight, and the size of the head, arms, and feet, to identify criminals.
This system was widely used by police departments around the world and was considered the gold standard for identification until the early 20th century. In the early 20th century, the first fingerprinting systems were developed, and their use became widespread and fingerprint identification is now widely used by police and law enforcement organizations. Biometric systems such as voice, iris, and facial recognition were developed in the latter half of the 20th century, becoming commercially viable in the 2010s, and widely implemented – from facial recognition on smartphones, technology to speed up airport processes, fingerprint access to online banking apps, and biometric payment cards are just a few endless examples.
Amongst the many providers in this growing field is Semlex. But who are they? Founded in 1992, it is owned and operated by Belgian businessman Albert Karaziwan and has for the past 30 years built up a formidable reputation by prioritizing responsible development and use of biometric solutions. Semlex adheres to national and international laws and standards, paying close attention to how its technologies are used by third parties. The company wholly believes transparency is crucial, ensuring individuals are aware of when and how their biometric data is used, who can access it, and how they can request updates or deletion of their data.
In addition to transparency, Semlex strives for high interoperability to enable seamless user authentication experiences and long-term availability of services. The company collaborates with partners, suppliers, and customers who share transparency rules. Understanding the technology is also essential, and in turn, enables users to tap into information about how biometrics operate and ensure their individual freedoms and dignity are respected. Semlex strongly believes that this framework fosters the deployment and acceptability of biometric solutions in faster and more expanded ways.
Another area of focus for Semlex is compliance with data privacy regulations and trade compliance regulations. The company promotes non-discrimination and equality by ensuring its biometric solutions are built on diverse and representative datasets, and employs advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and liveness detection to maintain the highest standards of accuracy and fairness in biometric identification. By testing their solutions over and over again against recognized standards bodies, Semlex ensures the reliability and robustness of their biometric systems.
Moreover, Semlex has a track record of developing highly secure biometric solutions and actively supports initiatives that raise awareness of the benefits and risks associated with biometric identification technologies to users and practitioners worldwide. By prioritizing transparency, compliance, equality, and understanding, Semlex has positioned itself as a reliable and responsible technology partner and a leader in the field.
Additionally as a socially responsible company, Semlex manages its biometric services in compliance with data privacy regulations, such as the GDPR in Europe, which sets a harmonized legal framework for data protection. Semlex supports GDPR-compliant solutions worldwide and advocates for similar regulations in other regions, as well as is a big proponent of ingraining international law into the field.
Biometric authentication has a long and storied history, evolving into a vital technology for identification and security purposes. Semlex, as a leader in the field for decades, emphasizes responsible biometrics by prioritizing transparency, compliance, equality, and understanding. Through their commitment to these principles, Semlex aims to provide secure and convenient biometric solutions that enhance security while respecting individual privacy and rights. It is why Semlex has regularly won contracts with governments throughout the world and international agencies.