Shoppers can now use their face to pay for everyday purchases for the first time, in a move that has sparked fears from privacy campaigners.Revolut has unveiled the first-ever ‘pay with smile’ system, meaning customers won’t need their phone or cards to make a purchase.The facial recognition technology will be on trial at the Hippo cafes in Bloomsbury, Chelsea and Soho, all in London, from September 24 to 26.
When checking out at a Revolut Register, shoppers can tap ‘Pay with Smile’ on a screen to complete a face identity check, similar to unlocking a smartphone.The facial scan will process the payment after it has verified the shopper’s identity by checking it against information provided when signing up to Revolut.All customers need to do to use the feature is to opt in to Revolut Pay with Smile in their Revolut app settings.
The bank stressed that their users will not be opted in by default and consent can be withdrawn at any time.Revolut said they encrypt facial recognition data end-to-end and that personal data will not be stored by merchants.However, the new payment methods have sparked fears from personal privacy campaigners.
Big Brother Watch warned that ‘no system is ever entirely secure’.Their Head of Advocacy Jack Coulson said: ‘How people want to conduct their banking is their choice, but they should be under no illusions that giving away their biometrics is safe” ‘Revolut may feel they are offering convenience, but they are also normalising a dangerous technology, and it is users who bear the risk.Latest London news You can now snap up £12 train tickets from London to 'vibrant' UK city Putney Pusher suspect found dead after being released under investigation Buckingham Palace's hidden treasures uncovered by workmen To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro's London news hub.
‘You can get a new passport, but your face is irreplaceable.Lost face scans can be used to fool identity checks and produce deepfakes, including sexualised images.The kind of potential violation is profound and unprecedented.’ The technology is first being piloted from today and will be rolled out more widely in due course.
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