Gemalto to upgrade Irish welfare fraud detection facial recognition system
Biometric Update
Ref: SRC-003-IRL-001
Accessed: 3/30/2026
Summary
Documents EUR 383,000 Gemalto contract to upgrade facial verification software (original system cost EUR 213,000 in 2012). System has saved more than EUR 4 million since 2012. 2016 savings EUR 1.734 million, 2017 savings EUR 894,000. 28 fraud cases identified in 2018 H1. Upgrade needed as 'market standards for algorithms has improved substantially since 2012'. System linked to Public Services Card photo database.
View Harvard reference
Biometric Update (2018) 'Gemalto to upgrade Irish welfare fraud detection facial recognition system', Biometric Update, September. Available at: https://www.biometricupdate.com/201809/gemalto-to-upgrade-irish-welfare-fraud-detection-facial-recognition-system (Accessed: 30 March 2026).