U.S. tech giant Apple has bought Israeli startup RealFace Technology, a leading developer of facial recognition technology, Calcalist reported on Sunday.

RealFace’s online presence disappeared on Sunday – its website went offline, as did its Facebook page – upon news of the buyout. While this is a sign the acquisition is already in progress, no official press statement from either company has been released.

RealFace is Apple’s fourth acquisition in Israel, and estimated to be worth a couple of million dollars, according to Calcalist.

The company was founded in 2014 by Adi Eckhouse Barzilai and Aviv Mader. “Our revolutionary software is offering customers a smart biometric log-in solution that is changing frictionless access to applications on mobile,” Eckhouse Barzilai told Crunchbase.

RealFace created AI facial recognition software that intends to replace regular passwords with biometic logins on mobile devices via deep learning methods.

“Our technology provides our customers and end-users with the highest level of authentication and security available on all platforms. We have proprietary IP in the field of frictionless face recognition and effective learnings from facial features,” reads the company’s LinkedIn profile.

RealFace’s first product is the Pickeez app, an innovative program that chooses a user’s best photos regardless of the platform.

Apple has bought three other Israeli companies: Anobit, PrimeSense and LinX.

(via Israel21c)

[Photo: 9To5Mac / YouTube ]