The art of self-shot pictures apparently known as selfies is already popular among the people worldwide. However, it was never meant to be used as a security parameter to authorize payments. In the latest move by MasterCard, the company is set to use selfies to let people pay for their purchases and services.
This new feature along with the facial recognition software is expected to be launched next year. However, MasterCard has already started testing the new app, which incorporates the feature of payment with selfie.
According to Ajay Bhalla, an experienced security professional at MasterCard, the consumers will also have an option to use their fingerprint for authentication. With the features of selfie and fingerprints for authentication, the overall payment experience is secure and simplified, he added.
The current fingerprint technology converts the pattern into code and stores it on the mobile device. With the selfies being trendy, it would be exciting for the new generation to embrace it. The facial recognition feature also requires an image; however, an individual needs to blink in order to get recognized by the software. This is to avoid any fake authentication through an image of an individual.
According to Ken Munro, a cyber security researcher, the technique used by MasterCard is not a new one, but has been weakened over the years. Though there has been improvement in biometrics; however, there has been a drastic rise in impersonation cases, where people take photographs and animate them.
With the start of the rollout of the new biometrics software, MasterCard is set to test it among a group of 500 people. Once it terminates the entire bug and enhances the user experience, it will consider a broader launch of the software. In order to ensure a hassle free launch of its app, MasterCard has already tied up with top manufacturers of mobile devices and its operating systems like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Samsung, and more.
image: streetwise
