NCPI considering using biometrics such as finger prints or facial recognition for authenticating UPI payments to prevent fraud

Biometric Authentication for UPI Payments: The National Payments Corporation of India (NCPI) is considering integrating biometric authentication into its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions as a replacement for the current PIN or password-based methods.

According to a Mint report, NPCI, the government-owned organization that operates retail payments and settlement systems in India is making major changes to UPI payments. Biometrics will now be used to verify payments made through UPI to make them safer from frauds. The option of fingerprint or face authentication is being considered.

According to reports, NPCI is in talks with several startup companies to introduce biometric facility in UPI. The phone’s fingerprint scanner and face recognition features will be potentially used to facilitate UPI authentication.

For example, users running Android phones will be able to make payments using the finger print sensor. Most Android smartphones come with a fingerprint scanner. Many Android phones also have facial recognition. Similarly, iPhone users will be able to make UPI payments through Face ID.

Currently, a PIN is required to make payments through UPI. Users create a 4 or 6 digit PIN, with the help of which transactions are authenticated. All UPI payment apps including Google Pay, Phone Pay and Paytm require a 4 or 6 digit PIN for transactions.

After this change, fingerprint or face recognition can be used instead of PIN. This will make UPI payments easier and more secure.