Per a report Thursday (July 25) from the website Biometric Update, the collaboration is designed to use biometrics to bolster security measures and reduce the risk of fraud and unauthorized transactions.

As the report notes, PayEye’s offerings include the eyePOS payment terminal, which lets users carry out transactions via a combination of iris and facial biometrics.

“Putting together our potentials will help us go down in history as innovators setting new trends in the global payment markets, from which — thanks to even greater convenience and security in the payment process — our customers stand to benefit the most,” Artur Żymańczyk, Worldline’s country manager for Poland, said in the report.

As noted here earlier this year, leveraging biometric information for authentication represents one of the latest frontiers in the continuing evolution of payments.

“Biometric authentication, while it exists for other aspects of our lives, is not a huge thing at this stage for payments — but as far as payments goes, it is the future,” Marc Hopkins, vice president at E-Complish, told PYMNTS.

And although biometric authentication for payments isn’t yet ubiquitous, that report argues, the technology is poised to reshape how consumers make payments.

“The ability for a customer to go buy a cup of coffee and not have to have to whip out their phone or their wallet, to simply just place their finger and scan to process a payment is ideal,” Hopkins said. “We currently are pretty much a cashless society, so you can think of bio payments as making us a cardless and eventually phoneless society.”

And unlike stolen cards or compromised passwords, biometric data is inherently linked to an individual and much harder to replicate, meaning that the adoption of biometric payments is expected to be swift, as consumers demand both convenience and heightened security.

“Companies are spending thousands, millions, collectively billions on fraud prevention. Biometric payments can help reduce that cost,” said Hopkins.

Worldline last week formed a partnership with intelligent vending machine company Selfly Store, working with payment expert Antenor to integrate a contactless payment solution with Selfly’s machines, which are designed to provide an autonomous meal/snack solution for venues such as hotels and offices.

“Crafted by payment expert Antenor on Worldline’s full payment offer, the solution incorporates a series of unattended terminals, Worldline’s omni-channel acceptance platform and Worldline’s international acquiring solution,” the companies said in a news release.

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The company is using the technology to spot unauthorized visitors and keep them from entering the office, CNBC reported Wednesday (June 26).

“For many years our security team has been testing and implementing new systems and protections to help keep our people and spaces as safe as possible,” a Google spokesperson said in the report.

In the company’s test of facial recognition technology includes interior security cameras that collect facial data and compare it to images from employee badges to spot any unauthorized visitors, according to the report.

In addition, Google’s Security and Resilience Services (GSRS) team will use the data to spot people who are known to pose a security risk, the report said.

People entering the building are not allowed to opt out of the facial screening, per the report. The data is not stored.

The test of this technology comes at a time when Google is adding artificial intelligence (AI) across its product line, and when facial recognition technology has been raising concerns about privacy, according to the report.

Other tech companies have also faced concerns centered on this technology. Amazon, Microsoft and IBM have placed restrictions on the sale of their facial recognition technology to police, and Amazon was once questioned by U.S. senators about its use of AI-equipped cameras in its delivery vans, the report said.

Biometrics like facial recognition offer potential benefits such as enhanced security and streamlined processes but also face complexities and concerns around privacy, data protection and implementation hurdles, PYMNTS reported in April.

Amid concerns about potential societal harms, Big Tech companies are increasingly enforcing guardrails around facial recognition and AI systems.

On the other hand, PYMNTS Intelligence has found that people are getting more used to logging into their favorite apps on their smartphones using facial recognition or their fingerprints.

Nearly half of online shoppers in the U.S. use some type of biometric authentication method for purchasing online, according to “Tracking the Digital Payments Takeover: Biometric Authentication in the Age of Mobile,” a PYMNTS Intelligence and AWS collaboration.

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The science powering that tool, iProov’s Dynamic Liveness Solution, is the first to receive the new global certification on face biometric identity verification from industry association the FIDO Alliance, iProov said in a Thursday (June 6) news release.

“This program is the premier certification to assess the performance and usability of remote identity verification systems based on facial biometrics,” the company said in the release.

“In a rigorous process conducted by Ingenium Biometrics, a FIDO face verification accredited lab, which consisted of no less than 10,000 tests, iProov’s Dynamic Liveness achieved a flawless success record with no attacks passing the system.”

Amid an explosion of digital identity verification — driven by the worldwide digital transformation — FIDO is working to help organizations to make informed decisions when selecting biometric identity verification solutions and ensure access to digital services for everyone, iProov said.

“For the first time, governments and enterprises worldwide can rely on an industry-recognized, large-scale biometric performance standard and certification program,” said Andrew Bud, founder and CEO of iProov.

“Finally, they can specify and procure biometrics with presentation attack liveness defenses with confidence in a third-party benchmark.”

As PYMNTS wrote last month, one of the newest frontiers in the continuing evolution of payments is using biometric information for authentication, where someone’s very characteristics — fingerprints, facial features or iris patterns — are used to authorize transactions securely and safely.

“Biometric authentication, while it exists for other aspects of our lives, is not a huge thing at this stage for payments — but as far as payments goes, it is the future,” Marc Hopkins, vice president at E-Complish, said in an interview with PYMNTS.

And even though biometric authentication for payments isn’t yet omnipresent, the technology is set to reshape how consumers interact with the payment ecosystem as well as the daily transactions that make up their everyday lives.

“The ability for a customer to go buy a cup of coffee and not have to have to whip out their phone or their wallet, to simply just place their finger and scan to process a payment is ideal,” Hopkins said.

“We currently are pretty much a cashless society, so you can think of bio payments as making us a cardless and eventually phoneless society,” he said.

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Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) said in a Wednesday (May 22) press release that it has directed the organization to stop scanning and collecting iris and face images of members of the public.

The PCPD found that the Worldcoin project violated Hong Kong’s Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO), according to the release.

Reached by PYMNTS, Worldcoin Foundation provided an emailed statement saying that it is “disappointed” by the PCPD’s views.

“Worldcoin operates lawfully and is designed to be fully compliant with all laws and regulations governing data collection and use, including the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong, among many other similar statutes across other markets,” the statement said.

“In an effort to prepare humanity for the age of AI, the Foundation continues to raise the privacy bar through data minimization, user control over data and advanced technology such as personal custody, iris code deletion, and secure multi-party computation,” it added. “Unfortunately, the authorities in Hong Kong overlooked these aspects in their evaluation of the humanness verification process.”

During the PCDP’s investigation, it determined that during Worldcoin’s operation in Hong Kong, more than 8,000 individuals had their faces and irises scanned for verification, the release said. These people were told that they would then be able to receive free Worldcoin tokens, a cryptocurrency, at regular intervals.

In its press release, the PCPD invited members of the public to inform the office if they see Worldcoin operating its iris scanning devices anywhere in Hong Kong.

When announcing in 2021 that it raised $25 million in funding from investors, Worldcoin said it aimed to spread the reach of cryptocurrency and financial services as a whole by having users get their irises scanned. The image would be encrypted and turned into a code, and then users would be given a free share of the Worldcoin cryptocurrency.

Worldcoin CEO and Co-founder Alex Blania said at the time that crypto is “a very powerful thing.”

“It will widen the boundaries of the economy in general and give many people access,” Blania said. “We designed the whole system to be fundamentally privacy-preserving. The iris code itself is the only thing leaving the orb. There’s no big database of biometric data.”

In July, Worldcoin launched its technology and its cryptocurrency in 35 cities across 20 countries. It did not launch them in the United States because of concerns about speculation and fraud.

A month later, Kenya became the world’s first nation to suspend Worldcoin’s operations, saying it was concerned about the organization’s collection of iris data.

A spokesperson for Worldcoin told PYMNTS at the time: “During the pause, the team will develop an onboarding program that encompasses more robust crowd control measures and work with local officials to increase understanding of the privacy measures and commitments Worldcoin implements, not only in Kenya but everywhere.”

The organization has also been ordered to stop its operations in Spain and Portugal.

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The move signals that Big Tech companies are increasingly enforcing guardrails around AI systems amid concerns about potential societal harms. Experts say it’s an example of why businesses need to be careful how they use AI.

“Facial recognition technology carries immense privacy harms, which is why the EU AI Act has denominated it as an unacceptable risk and severely limited its usage,” Gal Ringel, co-founder and CEO at data privacy firm Mine, told PYMNTS. “Even without a federal AI law in place in the U.S., companies need to be aware of the AI capabilities they are developing and restrict unnecessary usage accordingly.”

Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned that the increased use of biometrics raises serious concerns about security, privacy, and discrimination.

Shutting Down Access

In an email to PYMNTS, a Microsoft spokesperson revealed that the company had updated its code of conduct on Thursday (May 2). The new language prohibits Microsoft’s artificial intelligence (AI) service from being used for facial recognition purposes by or for law enforcement agencies within the United States.

“Microsoft is banning it because, as a whole, there is still some hesitancy and trepidation regarding the use of facial recognition by police,” Bob Eckel, the CEO of Aware, a biometric solutions provider, told PYMNTS. “Some argue that facial recognition fosters discrimination by being less accurate for certain races, nationalities and ethnicities. However, this is not true.”

Emphasizing the advancements in facial recognition accuracy, Eckel said, “Today’s facial recognition tools are tested and validated by trustworthy third parties, and certain states require police agencies using facial recognition to only use software deemed to be at least 98 percent accurate across all demographics.”

Ringel said the U.S. government has not always supported tech companies’ efforts to protect user privacy. He noted that in the past, the government has pressured companies like Apple to unlock phones to assist law enforcement investigations.

“I hope, given these are only police departments and thus this is more of a local issue, that Microsoft won’t face any retribution for trying to safeguard its AI usage,” he said.

Implications for Business

Tech consultant John Bambenek emphasized the global implications of Microsoft’s ban, telling PYMNTS, “It’s important to note that this applies to law enforcement everywhere, so this couldn’t be used by governments that have a different idea of civil rights to identify, for instance, members of persecuted groups or political opposition.”

The ban raises questions about the broader implications for enterprises utilizing facial recognition technology. “So far, facial recognition in law enforcement seems to be the only area where the risks have slowed down adoption,” Bambenek said. “But Microsoft is essentially saying they can’t solve the problem, which begs the question … what other risks are there (or will there be), and can they be prevented before harm is done.”

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The recent reinstatement of Quebec’s provincial automobile insurance registry’s facial recognition program, following its suspension last April, reflects these broader trends and challenges surrounding the ongoing and widespread adoption of biometric technology across various sectors. 

The decision to revive the facial recognition tool, aimed at de-duplicating and managing its citizen photo bank, comes after the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) faced significant obstacles in its previous attempt to integrate such technology into its operations. 

As detailed in a report by Le Journal de Québec, the initial endeavor was marred by inadequate training and testing, leading to significant public outcry due to extensive online backlogs and prolonged delays at service centers. 

However, Gino Desrosiers, responsible for media relations at SAAQ, has expressed optimism about the revamped tool, stating that the new system will “streamline the management of our current photo database for driver’s licenses and health insurance cards, primarily targeting duplicate entries.”

Despite this optimism, data protection advocates remain skeptical and have emphasized the need for stringent supervision to mitigate potential impacts on individual rights.

This includes Diane Poitras, president of the Commission for Access to Information, who in a report by Biometric Update.com, warned that “without adequate supervision, facial recognition is […] likely to have considerable impacts on the privacy and other rights of individuals.” 

Liberal MNA Michelle Setlakwe also underscored that the issue extends beyond mere “cleaning up a bank of photos” to encompassing the risks inherent in facial recognition technology, including fraud and identity theft. She cautioned that the deployment of such a digital identification system could afford access to a range of government services, highlighting the potential implications for security and privacy.

“This technology may be used at first to organize the SAAQ photo bank, but we know it is the entry point for a Quebec system of digital identity that could be used on various government platforms,” Setlakwe said in a report by the Montreal Gazette. 

The use of biometrics has prompted similar ethical and privacy concerns worldwide, as evidenced by worries among immigrant rights groups about the storage of personal data by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and lawmakers’ apprehensions regarding privacy infringements due to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) facial recognition screening at airports. 

These concerns are mirrored by global efforts to impose restrictions on biometric technologies, seen in countries such as China and the U.K.

Collectively, these trends highlight the need for a nuanced approach that balances the potential benefits of biometric technology with robust supervision, oversight, and inclusive public discourse to effectively address its inherent challenges effectively, thereby safeguarding individual rights and fostering public trust.

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“Until today, customers had to visit a physical location to hover their palm over an Amazon One device to sign up for the service,” the company said in a news release Thursday (March 28). “Now, they can sign up for Amazon One from home, work, or on-the-go via the Amazon One app, available from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.”

According to the release, the app lets customers create their online profile by logging into their Amazon account, snapping a photo of their palm and adding a payment method. After signing up, they can use Amazon One to make purchases, gain entry or verify their ages just by hovering their palm over Amazon One devices.

The service is available at 500-plus Amazon-owned Whole Foods stores, several of Amazon’s own stores, and a range of third-party locations like stadiums, convenience stores and airports that have partnerships with Amazon.

Amazon first debuted Amazon One in 2020 and has been slowly expanding the service over the years, including November’s launch of Amazon One Enterprise, a contactless security tool designed to grant entry to places like offices, hotels and educational facilities without having to rely on things like badges and fobs, or digital methods like PINs and passwords.

“The benefits of palm biometric payments extend to both consumers and businesses alike,” PYMNTS wrote in February.

“For consumers, the convenience factor is significant as they no longer need to remember PINs or passwords, carry physical cards, or even have their phones on hand. With just a quick scan of their palm, they can complete transactions swiftly and securely, whether they’re buying groceries, dining out or shopping online.”

Due to these benefits, it is perhaps unsurprising that most consumers who have used biometrics for authentication prefer the technology, according to “Consumer Authentication Preferences for Online Banking and Transactions,” a PYMNTS and Entersekt collaboration.

As for businesses, the report said, palm biometric payments provide increased efficiency and security, reducing transaction times and leading to shorter queues in-store and improved customer satisfaction.

“For instance, following a biometric scan, employees may greet guests by name and access their order history, reflecting restaurants’ endeavors to enhance customer experiences through personalized interactions,” PYMNTS wrote.

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As Reuters reported Tuesday (March 26), the country’s data regulator has ordered Worldcoin to halt its data collection for 90 days. The move marks the latest in a series of regulatory setbacks for the company, founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Worldcoin offers a digital ID and free cryptocurrency to users who agree to have their faces scanned by one of its “orb” machines. The company’s website says that more than 4.5 million people worldwide have already signed up.

More than 300,000 of those people are from Portugal, the report said, leading the CNPD, the country’s data watchdog, to issue the shutdown.

According to Reuters, the regulator said it had gotten dozens of complaints in the past month about unwarranted collection of data from minors, “deficiencies in the information provided to the data subjects” and “the impossibility of erasing the data or withdrawing consent.”

In a statement provided to PYMNTS, Worldcoin Data Protection Officer Jannick Preiwisch said the company complies with all laws dealing with biometric data collection and would be happy to address the regulator’s concerns.

“The report from CNPD is the first time we are hearing from them regarding many of these matters, including reports of underage sign-ups in Portugal, for which we have zero tolerance for and are working to address in all instances, even if a matter of a few reports,” he said.

Portugal’s move comes weeks after its neighbor Spain issued a similar order, while also blocking the data the project has already collected.

The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) said in a news release that it had “received several complaints against this company about insufficient information, the collection of data from minors and the fact that consent cannot be withdrawn, among other infringements.”

Worldcoin’s work has received pushback in other countries as well. Kenya last August suspended Worldcoin’s operations during a government investigation, while the U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) told PYMNTS it would be “making further inquiries” into the company soon after its debut last year.

But despite apprehensions about these and other biometric tools, research by PYMNTS Intelligence has found that a significant share of U.S. consumers continue to embrace biometric authentication tools, with more than 50% of consumers that make online purchases using biometric authentication to verify transactions.

These authentication methods include facial recognition and fingerprint scans, used by a respective 28% and 49% of consumers. In addition, close to 60% of facial recognition users employ this method more than once weekly.

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One such change is taking place at Citizens Bank Park, home to the Philadelphia Phillies, where facial recognition ticketing will be introduced at all main entrance gates on opening day.

The implementation of this biometric ticketing system is part of the MLB’s broader initiative to introduce its Go-Ahead Entry facial authentication technology across all stadiums league-wide during the 2024 season. Other teams, including the Houston Astros, are planning to deploy the system starting on opening day, with more expected to adopt it throughout the season.

Fans can submit a selfie through the MLB Ballpark app, which is then converted into a numerical token. The token enables authentication of one’s ticket(s) via a face scan upon entry to the park, all while ensuring privacy by not storing a photo of the fan’s face.

“The security, integrity and confidentiality of your information are extremely important to us,” the MLB said in a frequently asked questions section on the Go-Ahead Entry webpage. “We have implemented technical, administrative and physical security measures designed to protect fan information from unauthorized access, disclosure, use and modification that follow or exceed industry standards for security.”

According to data provided by an MLB spokesperson to Sports Business Journal, fans using Go-Ahead Entry last season went through gates 68% faster than those who used standard entrance lanes, marking an efficiency boost in stadium entry.

Alongside the implementation of biometric ticketing, stadiums — many of which were constructed decades ago — are embracing technology to address long-standing challenges in fan experience and operational efficiency.

One of the most notable transformations is the integration of artificial intelligence-powered self-checkout systems like the ones developed by Mashgin, which have improved the concession experience, reducing processing times from minutes to seconds.

According to Brandon Scott, head of sports deployments at Mashgin, this not only bolsters efficiency and safety but also optimizes revenue generation for stadiums while elevating the overall fan experience.

“The impact we’re having is tremendous on a lot of fronts,” Scott told PYMNTS in an interview. “Fire marshals, for instance, tend to like us because we take a line that used to be 40 minutes long and turn that into three or four minutes, which means there’s nobody walking in the exit or blocking a bathroom. And we’re obviously doing that by being so much faster.”

The integration of technology into the fan experience extends beyond transactions. From streamlined security protocols to hassle-free entry processes, Scott said Mashgin’s kiosks, which can be found in more than 100 U.S. stadiums, are reshaping every aspect of the stadium visit.

“Instead of going through a stadium and taking your bags apart [at security checkpoints], you just walk right through with everything in your pockets,” he said. “Everything from parking to entrance to checkout and concession stand is being streamlined, and technology is having a big part in that.”

Meanwhile, a partnership between the International University Sports Federation and Bornan Sports Technology represents a stride toward digital transformation in university sports.

The collaboration, which “aims to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across the whole university sport movement,” according to FISU President Leonz Eder, involves using advanced technologies like personalized digital services and cloud computing solutions to enhance resource management for university sports events worldwide.

In essence, the integration of technologies such as biometric ticketing at stadium gates, AI-powered self-checkouts and strategic partnerships underscore the sports sector’s embrace of the digital age. These innovations hold the potential to enhance fan experiences, streamline operations and boost overall efficiency within stadiums.

However, alongside the undeniable benefits of these advanced technologies, it’s crucial to address challenges like data privacy concerns, particularly in the case of biometric technology. Successfully navigating these hurdles will be essential to unlocking widespread adoption and ensuring that the integration of technology in sports continues to advance responsibly and ethically.

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From fingerprint scans to facial recognition and iris scanning to pay-by-hand, unique biometric identifiers offer a reliable and secure means of verifying identity, resulting in a more robust form of authentication compared to traditional methods like passwords or PINs, which can be vulnerable to theft, phishing and social engineering attacks.

Furthermore, biometric technologies have the potential to reshape user experience, offering frictionless authentication methods that enhance convenience and efficiency. Whether it’s unlocking a smartphone with a fingerprint or accessing secure facilities with facial recognition, biometrics streamline processes and eliminate the need for cumbersome authentication procedures.

Beyond security and user experience, biometrics also hold promise for unlocking new market opportunities and driving innovation across industries. 

Trust Stamp’s recent introduction of an age estimation solution underscores this ongoing trend toward biometric innovation. This AI-powered solution estimates a user’s age through a simple facial scan, helping to create “a digital space that’s safe, compliant and inclusive,” the company said in a Friday (March 15) blog post.

By precisely determining user age, businesses can navigate the complexities of age-sensitive transactions, thereby fostering a digital environment that is both secure and trustworthy. 

“Trust Stamp Age Estimation technology is transforming how businesses across social media, online gaming, gambling, and age-restricted retail engage with their customers, ensuring a safe, secure, inclusive, and seamless digital experience,” the company added.

Addressing Biometrics’ Privacy Concerns

While biometric technologies offer significant advantages, they also provoke ethical and legal dilemmas, particularly regarding consent and the use of personal data.

Earlier this month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced plans to expand biometric usage via its CBP One app, designed to streamline entry processes into the country. This initiative, however, has stirred concerns among immigrant rights groups about the storage of personal data, particularly for travelers exiting the country.

“We are concerned about the ever-expanding surveillance capabilities and requirements that CBP is adding to CBP One. With little notice or oversight, CBP has expanded biometric and geolocation surveillance to individuals not even in the U.S.,” Julie Mao, co-founder and deputy director of Just Futures Law, a legal organization that focuses on immigrant rights, told FedScoop. 

This development coincides with global efforts to impose restrictions on biometric technologies, observed in countries like China and the U.K. 

Similarly, bipartisan legislation was introduced in the U.S. last November to prohibit involuntary facial recognition screening at airports. Lawmakers cited concerns over privacy infringements by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), particularly the unauthorized storage of travelers’ biometric data.

Amid these apprehensions, a significant share of U.S. consumers continue to embrace biometric authentication tools. According to a joint PYMNTS Intelligence and AWS study, more than 50% of consumers completing online purchases utilize biometric authentication to verify transactions. 

Popular methods include facial recognition and fingerprint scans, adopted by 28% and 49% of consumers, respectively. Additionally, nearly 60% of facial recognition users employ this method more than once weekly. 

This robust consumer interest is an indication that biometric technologies will continue to wield significant transformative potential in the digital age, offering enhanced security, convenience and innovation.

However, as adoption becomes widespread and biometric technologies evolve, it becomes imperative to continuously address concerns related to data collection, storage and potential misuse. Doing so is essential for biometrics to fully unlock its potential in shaping the future of authentication, identity verification and user experience across diverse sectors.

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