Mastercard recently announced the rollout of biometric payment technology that will enable consumers to pay at checkout with their hand or face. The technology is now live in stores in Brazil and will have ramifications for online payments as well.
Reminiscent of the cashierless technology introduced by Amazon in its Amazon Go stores in recent years (though without the smart-shelf technology that enables the system to automatically ring in the items—cashiers still have to scan the items), users of the Mastercard system must sign up for an app that logs their face and handprint, like Face ID or Touch ID on an iPhone. Mastercard will link payment with biometric authentication technology provided by several partners. In Brazil, the company is working with Payface and St Marche supermarkets in São Paulo.
“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,” said Ajay Bhalla, president, Cyber & Intelligence at Mastercard. “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.”
