https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Mastercard tests new biometric cards in South Africa

20th April 2017

By: Megan van Wyngaardt

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

South Africa is the first market to test payment technology provider Mastercard’s next-generation biometric card, which combines chip technology with fingerprints to conveniently and safely store a cardholder’s identity for in-store purchases.

Two separate trials with retailer Pick n Pay and financial services provider Absa Bank were recently concluded.

The new card builds on fingerprint scanning technology used for mobile payments today and can be used at Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) terminals worldwide.

“Consumers are increasingly experiencing the convenience and security of biometrics. Whether unlocking a smartphone or shopping online, the fingerprint is helping to deliver additional convenience and security. It’s not something that can be taken or replicated and will help our cardholders get on with their lives knowing their payments are protected,” said Mastercard enterprise risk and security president Ajay Bhalla.

A cardholder enrolls their card by registering with their financial institution. Upon registration, their fingerprint is converted into an encrypted digital template that is stored on the card. The card is then ready to be used at any EMV card terminal globally.

When shopping and paying in-store, the biometric card works like any other chip card. The cardholder simply dips the card into a retailer’s terminal while placing their finger on the embedded sensor.

The fingerprint is verified against the template and, if the biometrics match, the cardholder is successfully authenticated and the transaction can be approved with the card never leaving the consumer’s hand.

Authenticating a payment transaction biometrically confirms that the person using the card is the genuine cardholder.

The technology helps detect and prevent fraud, increase approval rates, reduce operational costs and foster customer loyalty. Additionally, a future version of the card will feature contactless technology, adding to the simplicity and convenience at checkout.

The recent South African trials mobilised employees from Pick n Pay and Absa Bank to test the potential ways convenience and security could contribute to the checkout process.

Over the next few months, additional trials will be conducted with the biometric card. A full roll-out is expected later this year.

Pick n Pay deputy CEO Richard van Rensburg highlighted that biometric capability would add convenience and enhanced security to customers. “The technology creates a platform on which we can further our strategy of personalising the shopping experience in a meaningful way,” he added. 

For Absa, the biometric card forms part of the bank’s strategy to test and develop sophisticated technology capabilities designed to improve its payment operations and client service, reduce risk and make banking easier and even more secure for its customers.

“We are very proud to be the first bank in Africa to test – in a real payment environment – the single-touch authentication technology that will unlock the benefits of biometrics,” said Absa Retail and Business Banking card and payments head Geoff Lee.

“The technology will effectively enable our customers to rely on their unique fingerprints to make payments in a face-to-face environment. Following the test period, we will make it available to our customers in a way that is affordable, reliable, convenient and, most importantly, extremely secure,” he added.

Additional trials are being planned in Europe and Asia Pacific in the coming months.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Latest News

An image of Maltento CEO Dean Smorenburg, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Cape Town premier Alan Winde
Maltento aiming to bolster sustainability efforts
18th March 2024 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Showroom

Willard
Willard

Rooted in the hearts of South Africans, combining technology and a quest for perfection to bring you a battery of peerless standing. Willard...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd
VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd

For over 60 years, VEGA has provided industry-leading products for the measurement of level, density, weight and pressure. As the inventor of the...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (15/03/2024)
15th March 2024 By: Martin Creamer
Magazine round up | 15 March 2024
Magazine round up | 15 March 2024
15th March 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.165 0.217s - 174pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now