Blink to pay

Imagine paying for your coffee with a smile, unlocking your phone with a glance, or accessing your bank account with a touch. Welcome to the world of transactions, where biometrics are  transforming the way we interact with technology and money.

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Convenience and security at your fingertips

Biometrics use unique physical or behavioural traits - like fingerprints, palm prints, facial recognition, and voice patterns - to identify individuals. Biometric transactions offer unparalleled convenience. No more fumbling for your wallet or trying to remember a dozen different passwords because with biometrics, your body becomes your password.

Security is another major advantage. While traditional passwords can be stolen, guessed, or hacked, your fingerprint and iris are uniquely yours. For most of us with mobile phones, the concept of face and fingerprint recognition is not new. As technology continues to evolve, we continue to push the boundaries and introduce even more innovative uses of biometrics. 

For instance, there are already a group of pilot users who are using just their palms to pay at Alchemist, a cafe in Singapore (with more locations to come). Further afield, banks such as Barclays in the UK have been working with Hitachi to implement finger vein authentication, which scans the unique vein patterns in fingers. 

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What’s the catch?

Despite the benefits, there are challenges. Privacy is a major concern, as biometric data is highly sensitive. Ensuring secure storage and responsible use of this data is crucial. There are also concerns about potential misuse of biometric data for surveillance or other unintended purposes.

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Here are some tips to protect your biometric data

• Use reputable services: Only use biometric authentication with trusted and reputable companies that have strong security measures in place. 
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Combine biometrics with other forms of verification, such as passwords, PINs, or security tokens to add an extra layer of security.
• Regularly update software: Keep your devices and applications updated with the latest security patches and software updates. This helps protect against vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
• Be cautious with sharing: Avoid sharing your biometric data unnecessarily. Be mindful of apps and services that request access to your biometric information and only provide it when absolutely necessary.
• Monitor for breaches: Stay informed about data breaches and security incidents. If a service you use is compromised, take immediate action to secure your accounts and change any associated passwords or security settings.
• Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest developments in biometric security and deep fake technology. Understanding the risks and how to mitigate them can help you make better decisions about using biometric authentication.
• Limit Biometric Use: Consider limiting the use of biometrics to high-security applications, such as banking. These apps have more stringent security measures baked into their app compared with other apps where the risk may not justify the convenience. 
• Secure Physical Access: Protect your devices from physical theft or unauthorised access. Use strong passwords, lock screens, and other security measures to prevent others from accessing your biometric data.

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If your face is your new wallet, and your palm your new cash, it’s essential to protect yourself and your new data.

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Third party website disclaimer: 

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