- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: UK trials payment app that recognises your face
- Date: 10th August 2013
- Summary: VARIOUS OF FACE RECOGNITION SOFTWARE BEING USED TO PAY AT THE FARMERY SHOP
- Embargoed: 25th August 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- City:
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA6GNVX08M9SVTZSP4Y34PKODXL
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: It's often said that faces say it all, but now they could pay it all too, as UK shops look set to trial a system developed by Paypal that allows shop owners to link to a customer's Paypal account.
It's currently being trialled at The Farmery, a frozen yoghurt seller on the outskirts of London, run by Ismail Ahmed, who says it's been fantastic so far.
"We've had the Paypal technology implemented in our store for several months now and we find it really easy to use. It's convenient for both us and the customer," he told Reuters Television.
Paypal's Head of Retail Sales in the UK, Rob Harper, says this new business model works the same way as a bank or credit card.
"The app is free to download for consumers and free for the consumer to use. For the businesses as with any financial transaction, there's a small transaction fee that Paypal will apply."
Paypal first launched alternative ways to pay using mobile phones two years ago with pay-at-the-table options and barcode scanning, but it now says what people want is to be able to leave their wallets at home, adding that many people would only take their phone out with them if they could.
Concerns have been raised about security, at a time when smartphones can be cloned, but Paypal assures users are protected.
However despite other security implications over privacy, at a time when personal data collection is still in the international spotlight, international security expert David Clemente says there's much less to fear than might first be thought.
"It's really like a thumbprint or a finger print. It doesn't change over time. So if they have your picture now, they could match that with the real you in five years time using the same picture," he said.
"Bank details may change, addresses may change, but your thumbprint and face geometry doesn't change," he added.
The app has already been rolled out in thousands of shops in the United States, Australia and Asia.
And with Paypal's next plan to combine different payment options in just one app -- going out with just your phone may become a reality, sooner than we think. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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