What is the Match (CAMARA) API?

After being available in the UK since early December, Vodafone recently launched the Match (CAMARA) API in Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. This is a powerful new version of the Match API and was developed and standardised in collaboration with other operators through the CAMARA initiative. It helps developers verify customer identity information by checking submitted attributes against those held in Vodafone's records. This process is pivotal for applications requiring identity validation, as it allows businesses to quickly and securely check customer details against those held by the network operators.

What is new in the latest version?

In the new version of the Match (CAMARA) API, there has been a move from exact matching to a more flexible, score-based matching system using Yaro-Winkler fuzzy logic. This means that instead of a binary true/false result, the API now returns a match score from 0 to 100, allowing for a nuanced view of matching results and giving the developer more control over what is considered a successful match. The higher the score, the closer the match which gives more flexibility to interpret the returning values in a way that best suits the business needs. The image below represents a possible interpretation to the score returned by the API call:

Figure 1: Spectrum of trust

For example, a developer might consider that getting an 83 result for an address entered by the user can be good enough to move forward with a registration for prize giveaways, but for a bank app, a minimum of 90 could be required.

The following images demonstrate the registration flow for a hypothetical app. Figure 2 shows how the attributes are collected in the registration flow (frontend):

Figure 2: Frontend flow

Figure 3 demonstrates the information flow through Vodafone's Match (CAMARA) API call:

Figure 3: Backend flow

With this new model, Vodafone anticipates higher match rates, reducing false negative and enhancing customer onboarding experiences, both of which are invaluable for the identity verification process.

Key benefits of Match (CAMARA) API

• Greater flexibility: developers can now decide what score range works best for their applications.

• Improved accuracy: fuzzy logic enables more realistic matching based on similar (but not necessarily exact) data, which is particularly useful for minor variations in customer-submitted details.

• Higher match rates: better results mean smoother customer journeys and higher onboarding success rates.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the new Match (CAMARA) API, check out the documentation or reach out via this form.

See you around!