Mastercard to launch payment system based on a smile or a wave of the hand

Mastercard will launch the Biometric Checkout Program, enabling shoppers to pay at the checkout with a smile or a wave of the hand.

No more fumbling for your wallet — soon in-person payments will only need a smile or wave! #Biometric technology used to unlock your phone will now help you at checkout. Learn more: https://t.co/GEIuE35e9p

— Mastercard News (@MastercardNews) May 17, 2022

According to company representatives, the biometric verification system will accelerate payments, shorten queues and provide greater security than standard credit or debit cards.

“After registration there is no need to slow the queue at the checkout, rummaging through pockets or a bag. Consumers can simply check the bill and smile at the camera or pass their hand over the reader to pay,” Mastercard said.

The first pilot projects will launch in five Brazilian supermarkets. Shoppers will need to register for biometric payments in-store or via the Payface app.

In the future, the company will focus on rolling out the technology in markets across South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

According to Mastercard, 74% of consumers worldwide are ‘positive about’ biometric technologies. However activists have expressed concerns about the company’s plans to roll out such programs.

Ashfords partner noted that a password, unlike a smile or a wave of the hand, can be changed. If attackers breach biometric data, the risk of fraudulent activity would be significantly higher, she says.

Miles added that facial recognition systems at checkout could collect information about people who do not use such payment methods.

“As biometric payments become more widespread, protecting people’s privacy rights will become harder,” the lawyer said.

Earlier, the Moscow city hall announced plans to equip the city’s ground transport with a facial-recognition payment system Face Pay.

In April, Intel developed an AI tool to analyse the emotions conveyed by body language in schoolchildren and students, who study online.

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