The company claims the technology has had a successful trial in the US and Netherlands
MasterCard has confirmed it is roll out its new ‘Selfie ID’ verification technology across the UK this summer following successful trials in the US and Netherlands last year.
The credit card company announced the news at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC). The software will allow users to verify their identity for online payments by simply taking a selfie photograph. When making an online transaction, credit card details would still need to be provided.
However, instead of being asked to enter a password, the customer would be required to take a photograph of themselves using their phone’s front camera. They must blink to prove they aren’t using a photograph. An app needs to be downloaded to a smartphone, PC or tablet to use the system.
MasterCard claims this will provide a welcome alternative to passwords, which can either be forgotten or take a long time to input. During its trial in the Netherlands, the company claimed nine out of 10 participants preferred this technology over password authentication.
As well as the UK, other countries getting the technology in the summer include the US, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.
