Eye Scans and Fingerprints=Future of Payment?

Scientists at UK based Barclaycard are developing futuristic biometric technologies that will make paying with body part scans mainstream. Contactless payment has gained in popularity recently, with RFID cards and key fobs leading the way. Mobile phones are also being used as payment devices, but that’s all going to be old hat once fingerprint and retnia scans are the preffered method of payment. Biometric scanning sound so easy – but just a little creepy. Writing a check is just so less invasive. Is it going to feel like going to the doctor every time you buy something?

The Telegraph reports:

Barclaycard, which is part of Barclays, has already introduced a new-style cash machine in the United Arab Emirates enabling people to use their fingerprints to withdraw money and shoppers in the UK may soon be able to use the same technology.

Antony Jenkins, chief executive of Barclaycard, said: “It’s possible we’ll see an end to plastic in the next five to 10 years with new technologies to take its place emerging now. It could turn out to be one of the shortest lived payment methods in history, going from being ubiquitous to a museum piece in the same way as the video cassette.”

Telegraph: “Shoppers to use fingerprints or eye scans to pay for goods”