In Singapore, sign in with facial recognition to pay your taxes

Singapore is rolling out facial recognition as a means of accessing various online government services. — Trismegist san/Shutterstock/AFP

In Singapore, online government services can now be accessed by facial recognition – a world first. This technology is being rolled out to the city-state's SingPass digital identity scheme, offering access to no less than 400 online services, including tax declarations and public housing applications. Facial recognition is also increasingly being used to access other online services, such as banking.

This new function, dubbed SingPass Face Verification, lets users connect securely to government websites, as well as online services on private websites. The function is designed to work via home computers, tablets and cell phones, as well as at public kiosks.