Mastercard started rolling out a new way to pay and this allows customers to buy faster and easier for things straight from the customer's phone. The new technology called Identity Check Mobile utilizes fingerprints and facial recognition to authorize payments.
How to Get Started?
To use the feature, the user should download first the Mastercard app on their phone. The user will be prompted to take a selfie after the personal information has been collected and it will be stored in the server to digitize the user's face. This will serve as a reference when making a transaction in the future.
When using a retailer's online site or app, Mastercard customers will receive a pop-up screen on their handset, prompting them to authorize the payment through a password, scan or photograph.
Defying the Doubt on the Security
There are some worries about this payment method as other people might use their photo to purchase something. However, Mastercard assured that the app will not proceed unless the user will blink to ensure that the user is real, not a photo. There are also security protection in place when attempting to fool the app by using a video.
Successful Pilot Testing
Following successful trials in the Netherlands, U.S. and Canada, the firm is rolling out their service in 12 countries across Europe starting today. The company said that the survery revealed that the test subjects preferred the new system over passwords. U.S.-based Mastercard anticipates more countries will follow suit next year.
"Shopping in person has been revolutionized thanks to advanced like contactless cards, mobile payments, and wearables, and now we are making Identity Check Mobile a reality for online shopping in Europe, and soon, the world," said Mastercard's president of enterprise and security Ajay Bhalla.
With the plans of gradually rolling out the new technology in the whole world, Mastercard is also working out on the integration of heartbeat recognition that will be present in wearables such as smart watches with the sensor embedded on it. But, as of now, there are no available devices that can support it.
