The Atlas
The Atlas of Identity Verification
A free, opinionated reference for engineers and operators building trust into their products. Written by people who do this every day. Updated continuously.
6 chapters · 43 min read
What KYC Actually Is
Stripping away the regulatory jargon. KYC is three concrete questions: Is this a real human? Is this the human they claim to be? Are they a person we're allowed to do business with?
7 min · fundamentals · kyc
KYB vs KYC: Why Verifying Businesses Is Harder
Individuals have one face. Companies have ownership structures, ultimate beneficial owners, layered subsidiaries, and the regulatory paperwork to hide them. KYB is the deeper end of the pool.
8 min · kyb · ubo · fundamentals
AML, Sanctions, PEPs, and Adverse Media
Watchlists. Politically exposed persons. Adverse media monitoring. The screening layer that turns identity verification into compliance.
9 min · aml · screening · compliance
Background Checks Without Getting Sued
If you're checking someone's criminal record or employment history in the US, FCRA applies. Get the consent flow right and the rest is mechanical.
6 min · background · fcra · compliance
Biometrics, Liveness, and the Deepfake Problem
Why "selfie verification" as a meme has aged poorly. The progression from photo-match to active liveness to passive 3D liveness, and what's coming next.
7 min · biometrics · liveness · deepfakes
The Economics of Verification
What verification actually costs, who pays, and why the unit economics matter at scale. Plus the conversion math nobody talks about.
6 min · pricing · economics · operations
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Missing a topic? Found something out of date? Email atlas@enemoverify.com and we'll add it to the next revision.