By TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG – SOUTH Africa is the first market to test the next generation biometric card combining chip technology with fingerprints to conveniently and safely verify cardholders’ identity for in-store purchases.
Mastercard, the technology company in the global payments industry, has unveiled the technology, with two separate trials recently concluded with Pick n Pay, a leading supermarket retailer, and Absa Bank, a subsidiary of Barclays Africa.
The new card builds on fingerprint scanning technology used for mobile payments today and can be used at EMV(Europay, Mastercard and Visa) terminals worldwide.
Ajay Bhalla, Mastercard President of Enterprise Risk and Security, said consumers were increasingly experiencing the convenience and security of biometrics.
“Whether unlocking a smartphone or shopping online, the fingerprint is helping to deliver additional convenience and security,” said Bhalla.
“It’s not something that can be taken or replicated and will help our cardholders get on with their lives knowing their payments are protected.”
The recent South African trials mobilised employees from Pick n Pay and Absa Bank to test the potential ways convenience and security could contribute to the checkout process.
Over the next few months, additional trials will be conducted with the biometric card. A full roll out is expected later this year.
Additional trials are being planned in Europe and Asia Pacific in the coming months.
– Guardian
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