Imagine if you can pay an online shop as quick as a taking a Selfie, how easy would that be?
Most of us are aware of how lengthy it really is to send money or pay your purchases online. Aside from remembering your passwords, you will be tasked to verify it with a code or PIN sent via SMS or via a security token (know more about the security token, here). These steps of authorization are called two-factor authentication as it involves “what you know” (e.g., 6-digit password) and “something you have” (e.g., verification code).
But as our technology progresses, companies have pushed ways to improve our lives by making things quicker and more efficient. This is why MasterCard is testing out a new way of payment authorization that utilizes fingerprint scanning and facial recognition.
Biometrics, measurement and analysis of unique physical characteristics, is the underlying tech that enables this type of authorization to work. I bet our ancestors would not think that this would soon be possible! MasterCard is now closely working with Google, Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, and BlackBerry to introduce this project.
As passwords are likely to experience breaching, your fingerprints and facial features are less susceptible. You may be aware that swift touch of a fingerprint scanner is something Samsung and Apple have already implemented. On the other hand, facial recognition is made through taking a Selfie. I for one thought that one can cheat the system by using a photograph, but the system do not work that way. MasterCard holders are required to blink to indicate that they are live human beings.
Fast forward to that day, are you going welcome this new payment method with open arms?
Even an innovative step as astounding as this cannot please everyone, especially the generations prior to the Millennials (Generation Y). One thing is for sure though, if this method is successful, companies may work on other possible authorization methods such as voice recognition or heartbeat pattern checking.
Are you ready for that?
Image Credits: Robert Scoble via Flickr with Creative Commons License