Mastercard introduces biometric checkout

With the increasing use of facial recognition payment (FRP), Mastercard has now introduced its new biometric checkout program, where consumers can simply smile at phone’s camera or wave over a reader to pay. Participants in Mastercard’s biometric checkout program, ranging from major retailers to mom-and-pop shops, are able to allow consumers to enroll into their biometric checkout services through a merchant or identity provider app.

Once enrolled, customers can simply check the bill and smile into a camera or wave their hand over a reader to pay. Apart from consumer benefits, merchants could also enjoy faster transaction times and shorter queues to greater hygiene and heightened security, said Mastercard. The payment system can be integrated with loyalty programs and personalised recommendations to help consumers find products they might be interested in from purchase history.

According to Mastercard, globally, 74% of consumers have a positive attitude towards biometric technology, and the market for contactless biometrics technology is projected to reach US$18.6 billion by 2026.

Ajay Bhalla, president of Mastercard’s cyber and intelligence said: “The way we pay needs to keep pace with the way we live, work and do business, offering choice to consumers with the highest levels of security, our goal with this new program is to make shopping a great experience for consumers and merchants alike, providing the best of both security and convenience.”

Mastercard currently partners with NEC, Payface, Aurus, PaybyFace, PopID and Fujitsu Limited to promote these types of new checkout capability around the globe, adhering to an overarching framework of minimum standards, specifications and guidelines that address security, biometric performance level, and data protection in the context of in-store biometric payments.

The first pilot will be launched this week in Brazil with Payface and St Marche, which would showcase Payface’s technology implemented across five St Marche supermarkets in São Paulo. Consumers are able to enroll their face and payment information through the Payface app, then smile to pay at checkout without a card or mobile device.  Future pilots are being planned for roll-out in the Middle East and Asia.

Eládio Isoppo, chief executive officer of Payface said: “This partnership with Mastercard is a welcome step forward for us and will enable our technology to be used by more merchants and consumers, making shopping easier and bringing the joy of a smile to payments."

The program also outlines a set of regulations that banks, merchants and technology providers adhere to, ensuring the security and privacy of personal data when people pay biometrically. The new technology ensures a fast and secure checkout experience, while consumers could choose how they want to pay.

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