“…survey data indicates an intensifying preference for contactless payments, and for many consumers, the idea of adding biometric security to this process may help to make this payment technology even more appealing.”
Thales‘ EMV biometric payment card has now received certification from Visa, making it the first such card to be certified by all major EMV payment brands.
The card features biometric technology from Fingerprint Cards, best known as one of the top suppliers of fingerprint sensor technology in the mobile sector. FPC’s technology allows users of Thales’ payment card to biometrically confirm contactless transactions as they are undertaken, via a simple fingerprint scan.
The Thales-FPC solution was previously deployed on a small scale with the launch of the Cornèrcard Biometric Gold Visa in Switzerland last autumn. Now, with the card having attained certification from the major EMV players, it’s ready for much larger-scale deployment, Fingerprint Cards suggested in a statement.
“This marks an important milestone as this card is now ready for commercial launch by banks, to remove the payment cap and bring consumers the trust and experience needed for contactless payments,” the company explained.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the logistics of large-scale launches of biometric payment cards may be somewhat complicated. But the demand is stronger than ever, according to industry players. Thales itself noted in late May that survey data indicates an intensifying preference for contactless payments, and for many consumers, the idea of adding biometric security to this process may help to make this payment technology even more appealing.
For FPC, the prospect of mass commercial launches of biometric payment cards featuring its technology is surely an exciting one. While mobile integrations remain central to Fingerprint Cards’ business, the company has sought to expand into new application areas in recent years, with payment cards being a key target.
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