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Show HN: NFC Passport App

vertical-ally 6y ago
I'm looking for users/testers/feedback'ers for my passport reader app. The app can read and verify passports via NFC by communicating with the secure chip embedded inside. It's very simple to use and works in two steps: Use the camera to read the passport's data page visually Hold the passport against the device to read the secure chip The app does not store or send any personal information. The passport is only processed locally by the device itself.
elmerfud 6y ago
I'm the first to admit I don't always understand the android permissions but why does the app have full network permissions if it doesn't need network access? Also, besides reading the passport what purpose does it have? I don't need to take a picture of the passport page I can look at it with my eyes. Reading the chip can be done other ways but usually that's not a thing people need to do. What's the target audience or use case you envision here?
- vertical-ally 6y ago
  Network access is only for reporting errors. I believe you can just deny it, or simply use the app offline. The real use-case for the underlying technology is remote onboarding and remote identity verification. There is more info on that here: https://business.passportreader.app https://business.passportreader.app
ko3us 6y ago
Cool idea. However, I feel like this needs to have some independent audit or open source it. I would be reluctant to be scanning and photographing a passport on the threat of identity theft.
- vertical-ally 6y ago
  Valid point. It is audited by Google/Apple, and beyond that you can use the app offline
kseistrup 6y ago
The app can read the visual information from my passport just fine, but when the app wants to read the information via NFC, the UBIC app¹ is brought up instead. [1]: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=network.ubic.ubic https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=network.ubic.u...
- vertical-ally 6y ago
  Very strange.. what device do you have? did you have the other app installed/running in the background?
  - kseistrup 6y ago
    I have a Samsung Galaxy S8. The other app has been installed on my phone for a long time and I guess it subscribes to NFC passport intentions, since it uses a passport as identification.
    - vertical-ally 6y ago
      Thx for the info. I will look into this issue. Some other Android users have also reported NFC problems, this could very well be the culpit. Probably I need to force NFC into the foreground
      - kseistrup 6y ago
        PS: Because I haven't set any default apps, whenever I click a link (e.g., in a message), I get to choose which app or browser I wish to use to open the link. In the same vein: When more than one app is able to read my passport over NFC, I would expect to see a list of possible apps.
        vertical-ally 6y ago
        There is now an updated version available on Google Play. I've tried to address these issues.

I'm looking for users/testers/feedback'ers for my passport reader app. The app can read and verify passports via NFC by communicating with the secure chip embedded inside. It's very simple to use and works in two steps: Use the camera to read the passport's data page visually Hold the passport against the device to read the secure chip The app does not store or send any personal information. The passport is only processed locally by the device itself.

elmerfud 6y ago

I'm the first to admit I don't always understand the android permissions but why does the app have full network permissions if it doesn't need network access? Also, besides reading the passport what purpose does it have? I don't need to take a picture of the passport page I can look at it with my eyes. Reading the chip can be done other ways but usually that's not a thing people need to do. What's the target audience or use case you envision here?

vertical-ally 6y ago
Network access is only for reporting errors. I believe you can just deny it, or simply use the app offline. The real use-case for the underlying technology is remote onboarding and remote identity verification. There is more info on that here: https://business.passportreader.app https://business.passportreader.app

ko3us 6y ago

Cool idea. However, I feel like this needs to have some independent audit or open source it. I would be reluctant to be scanning and photographing a passport on the threat of identity theft.

vertical-ally 6y ago
Valid point. It is audited by Google/Apple, and beyond that you can use the app offline

kseistrup 6y ago

The app can read the visual information from my passport just fine, but when the app wants to read the information via NFC, the UBIC app¹ is brought up instead. [1]: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=network.ubic.ubic https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=network.ubic.u...

vertical-ally 6y ago
Very strange.. what device do you have? did you have the other app installed/running in the background?
- kseistrup 6y ago
  I have a Samsung Galaxy S8. The other app has been installed on my phone for a long time and I guess it subscribes to NFC passport intentions, since it uses a passport as identification.
  - vertical-ally 6y ago
    Thx for the info. I will look into this issue. Some other Android users have also reported NFC problems, this could very well be the culpit. Probably I need to force NFC into the foreground
    - kseistrup 6y ago
      PS: Because I haven't set any default apps, whenever I click a link (e.g., in a message), I get to choose which app or browser I wish to use to open the link. In the same vein: When more than one app is able to read my passport over NFC, I would expect to see a list of possible apps.
      - vertical-ally 6y ago
        There is now an updated version available on Google Play. I've tried to address these issues.