Financial technology platform Revolut has launched a trial program in the United Kingdom for “Pay with Smile,” an in-store biometric payment system that enables consumers to complete transactions using facial recognition. Positioned as the UK’s first merchant-facing facial payment platform, the service waives processing fees for participating retailers and is initially undergoing live testing across…
Seven member states have so far deployed the card, although ECOWAS said member states already committed to working towards mutual acceptance of the card at air, land and sea borders by December. Nigerians travelling to other West African countries could face fewer delays at border posts as the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) is…
Weak SIM registration processes continue to enable fraud. (Graphic: Nicola Mawson, with images from ITWeb, Pexels and Freepik) Amid growing calls for biometric registration of SIM cards, global bodies warn that such a move could exclude vulnerable citizens and create underground markets for fraudulently registered SIM cards. Mobile industry veteran Johan van Graan is calling…
Across Africa, governments are introducing digital systems that use individuals’ unique physical measurements to identify them. These systems collect citizens’ biometric and personal data and use it to give people access to essential public services like voting, healthcare, education and social protection. Biometric digital identification systems are often promoted as tools to improve efficiency, inclusion…
No, helping strangers use their smartphones will not expose you to ‘AI biometric identity fraud’ IN SHORT: Warnings that strangers asking for help using a smartphone may actually be scammers conducting “AI biometric identity fraud” are just scaremongering. Even if well-intentioned, these warnings misrepresent how biometric security and impersonation scams actually work. “STOP HELPING STRANGERS…
Nairobi — Millions of Africans are unable to access essential services, including healthcare, education, social protection payments, and voting, as new biometric digital-ID systems continue to be imposed across the continent, a new report by the African Digital Rights Network (ADRN) warns. The systems require citizens to provide personal and biometric information, with limited safeguards…
Cornelia van Heerden, executive of customer operations at MTN South Africa. MTN South Africa has announced the full-scale deployment of a digital ID system, with real-time biometrics, on any device across all MTN stores nationwide. In a statement, the mobile operator says the rollout follows a successful six-month pilot across 20% of its stores, where…
Prepaid mobile subscribers will be affected by increased verification costs, says the Association of Comms and Technology. South Africa’s mobile network operator umbrella body has slammed the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for its 6 500% increase in the cost of biometric verifications. It says the move is contrary to government’s own socio-economic endeavours. This…
There are alternatives to government’s biometric checks. Sectors that depend on biometric identity verification – including financial services, mobile network operators and credit providers – are under pressure after the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) implemented a steep fee increase for access to its database. Identity verification company Ideco says these industries are well-positioned to…
Cheslyn Jacobs, TymeBank chief commercial officer. TymeBank has warned that a proposed increase in biometric verification fees, from 15c to R10, could result in the financial exclusion of its low-income clients, particularly grant recipients, from formal banking. This, after the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) yesterday rolled out its new National Population Register (NPR). This…
