MasterCard launches 'selfie pay' in Belgium

MasterCard will soon make it possible to confirm a payment online with a photo instead of a password or PIN-code, reports Knack Data News. The so-called 'selfie pay' system, which has already been in the test phase for a while, is now being rolled out in 12 countries, including Belgium.

Purchasing an item online via smartphone will become even easier thanks to the new system, which confirms MasterCard payments by way of a fingerprint scanner or face detection technology.

While e-commerce is well established in Belgium, most webshop owners note that mobile payment remains an obstacle for many consumers, who are more likely to complete an online purchase from behind their PC or laptop.

MasterCard is therefore launching Identity Check Mobile, a new payment technology application that uses fingerprints or facial recognition to verify a cardholder’s identity, thereby simplifying online shopping, according to the press release.

The company did not divulge any additional details, such as whether selfie pay will require a separate app, or a technology built into webshops.