Pay with a smile and a wave of your hand: Mastercard has announced a new system of biometric payments

Mastercard has announced the launch of Biometric Checkout.

What is it and how does it work

This is a biometric program that will allow customers to quickly pay for purchases at the checkouts of retail chains and small shops with a smile or a wave of the hand. The program includes a list of basic standards for banks, merchants and technology partners that guarantee the security and confidentiality of personal data when paying using biometrics.

“The key goal of the new program is to make the payment process convenient for both consumers and merchants while providing a high level of security and convenience,” said Ajay Bhalla, president of Cyber ​​& Intelligence at Mastercard.

Biometric Checkout members provide customers with the ability to enroll in biometric payment services—in-store or at home—through a merchant or identity provider app. To pay, customers just need to smile at the camera or move their hand in the area of ​​​​the reader. The new technology ensures the speed and security of payments.

The new technology also offers benefits for merchants, from faster transactions and reduced queues to improved hygiene and secure checkout. By the way, the new payment method can be integrated with loyalty programs and personalized offers for customers.

When to expect

The pilot project will be launched this week in Brazil as part of a partnership with Payface and the St Marche supermarket chain. Visitors to five Sao Paulo supermarkets will be able to register their biometric and payment details through the Payface app and pay for purchases at the checkout with a smile. A little later, the launch of the program is also planned in the Middle East and Asia.

Recall that PrivatBank launched a similar technology in Ukraine back in 2019.