Mastercard will launch its Biometric Payment Program, which allows shoppers to pay by smiling or waving at checkout.

No more fumbling for your wallet – soon you’ll only need a smile or a wave for face-to-face payments! #biometric The technology used to unlock your phone will now assist you at checkout. Learn more: https://t.co/GEIuE35e9p

— Mastercard News (@MastercardNews) 17 May 2022

The company says its biometric verification system will speed up payments, shorten queues and provide more security than a standard credit or debit card.

“After logging in, there is no need to slow down the line by searching for pockets or bags at the checkout. “Consumers can simply check the bill and smile for the camera or wave at the reader to pay.”

The first pilot projects will be launched at five supermarkets in Brazil. Buyers need to sign up for biometric payments in-store or via the Payface app.

In the future, the company will focus on launching the technology in the markets of South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

According to Mastercard, 74% of consumers worldwide have a “positive view” of biometric technologies. However, activists have expressed concern about the company’s plans to implement such programs.

Susie Miles, a partner at law firm Ashfords, noted that unlike a smile or wave, the password can be changed. If attackers hacked into biometric data, the risk of fraudulent activity would be much higher, she said.

Miles added that facial recognition systems at checkouts can collect information about people who do not use such payment methods.

“As biometric payments become more common, it will become more difficult to protect people’s privacy rights,” the lawyer said.

Recall that in February, the Moscow mayor plans to equip the city’s ground transport with the Face Pay face-to-face payment system.

In April, Intel developed an artificial intelligence tool to analyze the emotions of school-aged children and students studying online in body language.