Mastercard launched the first Biometric Checkout Program pilot in Europe, in Poland

Mastercard, Empik and PayEye are launching an in-store biometric payment pilot leveraging iris and facial biometrics. „Thanks to the cooperation with PayEye fintech, and technology partner Planet Pay, customers will be able to test paying for purchases with their glance in five Empik stores across Poland. This is the first Biometric Checkout Program pilot in Europe.” – according to the press release.

The pilot is launching in response to the growing popularity of biometric technology. Globally, 74 percent of consumers say they have a positive attitude toward biometric technologies^[1]. In Poland, meanwhile, 4 out of 5 respondents say that they use or have used biometric technology, and among 18–25-year-olds, virtually all are familiar with using biometrics.

Mastercard’s global Biometric Checkout Program, represents a first-of-its-kind technology framework to help establish standards for new ways to pay, allowing cardholders to use a wide range of biometric payment authentication methods such as palm, face or iris scan. This simplifies the checkout process in store, as consumers no longer need to use a physical payment card, cash or a mobile device to pay for purchases. With Mastercard Biometric Checkout Program, secure and convenient experiences are possible simply by using your biometrics.

Marta Życińska, general manager Poland, Mastercard:

“Poland was one of the first countries where contactless payments with Mastercard cards were introduced and we know that Polish consumers are leaders in adopting innovative technologies. The pilot we are initiating today with Empik and PayEye is also a testament to Mastercard’s commitment to developing local technologies and supporting the Polish electronic payments market. We’ve long believed that biometrics can deliver best-in-class experiences, balancing convenience, and security, and we look forward to scaling our program here in Poland.”

PayEye is a Polish fintech that is developing proprietary cashless biometric payment technology using a fusion of iris and face biometrics. To accept PayEye payments, a business must equip itself with a special eyePOS terminal. The process requires precise calibration, such that there is no risk of accidentally looking at the terminal and paying.

“Being a part of Mastercard Biometric Checkout Program is a great honor and a culmination of our hard work on one of the best biometric technologies in the world,” said Daniel Jarząb, CEO, PayEye. “We believe that payments with a glance are a global solution which, regardless of the latitude, provides the highest level of safety, user comfort and an amazing user experience. Working with brands such as Mastercard and Empik has been a unique adventure for us, and we are happy that together we have created a way for consumers to test PayEye solution.”

The cooperation between Mastercard, Empik and PayEye „will help improve consumers’ shopping experience and popularize a new, modern payment method that expands the range of options previously available” – the company said. Biometric payments leveraging iris and facial biometrics will be available from June 10. Out of more than 350 Empik stores across Poland, 5 localizations have been selected for the pilot, that is: Warsaw Westfield Mokotów, Wrocław Bielany, Kraków Kazimierz, Poznań Posnania and Czeladź M1.

“Empik is a unique brand on the market, combining innovation with over 75 years of history. We were one of the pioneers of Polish e-commerce and omnichannel, offering customers solutions that were often ahead of the market, setting new standards in subscription services, delivery methods or modern forms of payments,” says Ewa Szmidt, Empik Group CEO. „Our clients are open to innovations, they are eager to use new technologies as they value the speed and, more importantly in today’s world, safety it offers. That is why, as the Polish omnichannel sales leader, we are joining Mastercard and PayEye’s pilot with a huge enthusiasm. I am proud that our customers will get the unique chance to be the first ones to test this innovative solution. I strongly believe that shopping’s safety and convenience that biometrics provides is not the future but the present of payments.”

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Mastercard Biometric Checkout Program is set to transform in-store payments and is based on globally applicable set of standards that banks, merchants, and technology providers adhere to, ensuring security and privacy standards for biometric in-store payments. The Biometric Checkout Program is governed by Mastercard’s principles for data responsibility, reinforcing that consumers have the right to control how their personal data is shared and benefit from its use. As part of Biometric Checkout Program, Mastercard does not process any biometric data but ensures stakeholders, such as Empik and PayEye, maintain top security and privacy when performing a biometric in-store payment.

Last year, Mastercard announced an expansion of the program to the Asia Pacific region and launched its second pilot in Latin America earlier this June. To continue to advance in-store biometrics, Mastercard will launch several biometric pilots later this year in countries across the globe.

^{[1] https://www.idemia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/infographic-consumers-embrace-biometrics-payment-cards-idemia.pdf}