PayPal Tests 'Pay with Your Face' in UK
You better hope your profile picture looks like you.
PayPal is trialing a new scheme that will see customers pay with their face. No, this isn't some kind of facial recognition technology similar to Google's face unlock. Instead, PayPal is going to let you pay with your profile picture.
PayPal today announced that a new 'Local' tab in the PayPal app will help users find shops or restaurants nearby that will accept PayPal mobile payments. Users 'check in' to the store or restaurant they're patronizing and their photo and name pops up on the business's point of sale system. When it comes time to pay, the cashier simply taps the photo and the customer is charged via PayPal. The customer will also receive an alert on their phone to inform them of the charge.
"We're pleased to help local businesses of all sizes offer a new more personal experience, while never having to turn away customers who don't have enough cash on them to pay," said Now locals in Richmond can leave their wallet or purse at home and be the first in the country to use their profile picture to pay."
The system is being trialled in shops on Richmond High Street. Participating retailers include Cook & Garcia, TheFarmery, The Tea Box, The Bingham Hotel, Revolution, Caffé Paolo, The Cedar Coffee Shop, Urban Diner, Pier 1 Fish and Chips, Noble Jones, Hill Café and Knot Coffee and Pretzel.
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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WithoutWeakness Really cool idea to make transactions quicker and simpler for those who want to use it. Personally, I'd rather not have my social network accounts linked to my PayPal account (I use different e-mail addresses) and I'm feel a little more secure paying with cash or swiping a card and having to enter my PIN or sign.Reply -
capt_taco I'm sorry, but the name of that service is just way too hilarious for me to ever take it seriously.Reply -
dalethepcman Just embed a rf chip in your hand, tattoo a QR code over it and use that for everything already...Reply
How are you supposed to buy drugs and pay prostitutes in the future? Use Google "Incognito payments" ? -
PhilipCohen Wot? Another load on delusional nonsense from the eBay Dept of Spin ...Reply
Regardless, the ugly reality for consumers dealing with the clunky, unscrupulous PayPal ... http://bit.ly/UVXx53