30 March 2017                                                                                                               

Photo-Me International plc

("Photo-Me" or the "Group")

Photo-Me rolls out encrypted photo ID technology across Ireland

Photo-Me is pleased to announce that it is today launching a rollout of the Company's encrypted photo ID technology across Ireland in partnership with the Irish Government. The launch will see Photo-Me's secure digital upload system rolled out to 150 photobooths, growing to 300 throughout Ireland by the end of 2017.   

Photo-Me Ireland (the Group's Irish subsidiary) is the first company licenced by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade to capture and transfer digital photos as part of the Irish Government's new online passport renewal system. 

The photobooths are being rolled out with Photo-Me premier partners: Topaz, SuperValu, Tesco and An Post, as well as a number of shopping centres nationwide. Upon completion of the rollout, which is expected by the end of 2017, 98% of the population of the Republic of Ireland will live within 5km of a Photo-Me secure upload ID photobooth.

When using the photo booths for the new Online Passport Application Service, customers receive a unique passport photo code which allows them to access their ID photo on the Irish passport renewal website www. DFA.IE/passportonline, and then attach it to the online passport application. Photo-Me's face-recognition software ensures that customers' ID photos meet the 75 criteria required by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to ensure a viable passport photo.

Photo-Me proven secure ID technology has already been fully adopted in France, by ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés, a national agency linked to the French Ministry of Transport and issuing secured official personal documents). Photo-Me believes that its suite of encrypted photo ID technologies represents the most secure photo ID solution available in the market today. 

Serge Crasnianski, Chief Executive of Photo-Me, said:

"Photo-Me's consistent drive for innovation in the photobooth market reflects requirements for increasingly sophisticated photo identification in Europe, where we are already a recognised leader in this space.

We are very pleased to be working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to enable the digital upload of ID photos for passport applications. We have worked hard to provide the Irish Government with a highly secure system and our market leading network of photo booths across Ireland will ensure that customers have easy access to a convenient and secure ID Photo solution."  

Speaking at today's launch of the new Online Passport Application Service, Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD said:

"Today's announcement represents a very significant innovation in customer service, improving the delivery of passports to Irish citizens using cutting edge technology and software. The new online service is fast, convenient and secure and constitutes a significant advance in terms of the service we offer to Irish citizens. I want to extend warm appreciation to our partners in Photo Me, who will ensure wide access by applicants to International Civil Aviation Organization-compliant digital photos." 

Enquiries:

About Photo-Me

Photo-Me operates a wide range of instant service equipment.

With 45,500 vending locations in 17 countries (primarily the UK, France and Japan), Photo-Me is the world's leading operator of photobooths, with 27,600 sited. The Group operates a diverse range of vending equipment, including digital printing kiosks, laundry machines, children's rides and amusement machines, in the most sought-after locations around the world.

Photo-Me sells a range of photo-processing equipment including photobook makers and digital printing kiosks.

The Company's shares have been fully-listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1962.

-ends-