Biometrics

Several biometric authentication technologies are currently under development or already in use. For POS payments, physiological patterns seem to be the most suitable, e.g. fingerprints, finger veins, palm veins, 2D/3D facial recognition, iris scans, DNA and even body odour.

• Given the technological possibilities and the major advantages for all parties involved, Equens believes the time is ripe to make a start with the international implementation of biometrics for POS environments in Europe.

• The first step is to create a neutral entity to agree on standardised rules, regulations and technical formats to avoid investments in different systems that will eventually have to be harmonised or made interoperable.

• Equens envisages a five-party model similar to the cards model: issuers, acquirers, consumers and merchants, with this neutral entity in the middle. We are ready to take the first concrete step and have developed the model.