MasterCard said it is exploring the use of facial recognition as a viable alternative to SecureCode, the security software it uses that asks shoppers online for a password to complete purchases. When you are done adding items to your virtual cart and ready to pay, at the time of check out, an authorization will prompt which will ask you for face recognition or fingerprint scan. If the two files match, a payment is authorized.
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The blink is crucial, says Mastercard, as that prevents thiefs from holding up a picture of you. “And I’m sure they’re doing the appropriate stuff to guard it”.
The firm’s security expert, Ajay Bhalla, told CNN that the new generation is “into selfies” and thinks “they’ll find it cool“.
When a user stares and blinks at the MasterCard app it verifies that it is an actual human who is in front of the camera and not a static photo.
Robert M. Lee, co-founder of Dragos Security, said: “From a privacy aspect it’s bad – but from a business perspective, I don’t understand why they’d accept that risk”.
Earlier this year, MasterCard announced that their plan is to invest more than $20 million in cybersecurity-related technology. This stops credit-card-number-stealing hackers from actually using your card on the Web.
Users will be able to use the feature by downloading and logging into the MasterCard phone app. The hash would then be matched with one stored on the company’s servers. Once clicked, the app maps out your face and converts into data that is sent to MasterCard.
According to Mr. Munro, he said in a statement that “Mastercard will want this to be secure because they’re dealing with money”.
The app on the phone can be activated by staring into the phone and blinking once.
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The pilot program will start with only 500 customers to test the feasibility of the program and if successful it will be launched all over. Bhalla is also toying with voice and and even heartbeat recognition to verify transactions.
