A recent study by IDnow, an identity verification platform, revealed that a significant portion of individuals in the United Kingdom are sharing sensitive documents online without adequate protection. Additionally, the research highlights the growing concern that scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence technology to circumvent online identity checks.
The research findings indicate that individuals aged between 18 and 24 are particularly vulnerable, as almost half of this demographic (48%) admit to jeopardizing their identities by sharing personal documents through less secure means like messaging apps, email, and social media. In contrast, individuals over the age of 50 appear to be more cautious about sharing personal data online, with only 21% reporting instances of sharing their identification through insecure channels.
Alarmingly, 45% of the survey respondents acknowledged that transmitting scans and images of identification documents through these insecure channels posed a security threat. Despite this awareness of cybersecurity risks, a significant proportion (33%) of Britons still opted to share their data in this risky manner.
The data further reveals a lack of awareness among British individuals concerning cybersecurity issues and recent technological advancements. For instance, a third of the survey participants were unfamiliar with the concept of deepfakes and the associated security and misinformation risks they present.
An Alarming Pattern
In a statement provided to ThisisMoney, Armin Bauer, the co-founder and chief technology and security officer of IDnow, noted that “deepfakes are being utilized to breach systems that necessitate identity verification.”
Bauer further explained, “Fraudsters typically attempt to create a fictitious individual or use a stolen ID card to create a deepfake resembling the legitimate owner of the identification.”
Moreover, Lovro Persen, the document and fraud director at IDnow, expressed concern, stating, “This research suggests that the British public may not fully grasp the risks associated with digitally-manipulated images or videos. The significant advancements in AI technology have made it increasingly effortless for fraudsters to perpetrate financial crimes. Consumers should not make it easier for fraudsters to exploit them.”
Persen emphasized, “Our recommendation is always to exercise caution before sending a scan or photograph of your driver’s license or passport through unsecured channels, such as social media or email.”
Featured Image: Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
