Buy with your eyes, pay with your glance! Together with Empik and PayEye, Mastercard expands its Biometric Checkout Program to Poland
Poland, August 2024 – In a pioneering move set to redefine the retail experience, Mastercard, Empik, and PayEye have launched Europe’s first in-store biometric payment pilot, utilizing iris and facial recognition technologies. The initiative allows customers to make payments using only their biometric data, offering a glimpse into the future of retail transactions.
This groundbreaking pilot, a part of Mastercard’s global Biometric Checkout Program, is being tested in five selected Empik stores across Poland, including prominent locations in Warsaw, Wrocław, Kraków, Poznań, and Czeladź. The program is designed to simplify the checkout process by eliminating the need for physical payment cards, cash, or mobile devices, enabling customers to complete transactions with just a glance.
Innovation at Its Core
Mastercard’s Biometric Checkout Program represents a significant technological leap, offering a standardized framework for integrating various biometric payment methods, including facial and iris recognition. This initiative not only enhances the convenience of in-store payments but also underscores Mastercard’s commitment to security and consumer privacy.
“Mastercard has always been at the forefront of innovation, driving security and standardization in payment technologies. Poland, with its track record of early adoption of contactless payments, is an ideal location for this groundbreaking pilot,” said Marta Życińska, General Manager of Mastercard Poland. “This collaboration with Empik and PayEye reflects our dedication to developing local technologies and supporting the Polish electronic payments market.”
Local Expertise Meets Global Innovation
PayEye, a Polish fintech company, has developed a proprietary biometric payment technology that combines iris and facial recognition. To participate in the pilot, businesses are equipped with PayEye’s specialized eyePOS terminals, which are carefully calibrated to ensure secure transactions without the risk of accidental payments.
Daniel Jarząb, CEO of PayEye, expressed pride in being part of Mastercard’s Biometric Checkout Program. “Joining forces with Mastercard and Empik has been a rewarding journey. We believe that biometric payments offer the highest level of security and convenience, making them a globally relevant solution.”
Empik’s Commitment to Innovation
Empik, a leading omnichannel retailer with a history of pioneering e-commerce in Poland, is equally enthusiastic about the pilot. “Our customers are always eager to embrace new technologies that enhance both speed and security,” said Ewa Szmidt, CEO of Empik Group. “By joining this pilot, we’re offering our customers the unique opportunity to be the first to experience the future of payments.”
Global Expansion on the Horizon
This pilot marks the latest in a series of biometric payment initiatives by Mastercard, which has already expanded its Biometric Checkout Program to the Asia Pacific and Latin American regions. The program is governed by strict data responsibility principles, ensuring that consumers have control over their personal data while benefiting from enhanced security in biometric transactions.
Mastercard’s Biometric Checkout Program is poised to transform the retail landscape, setting new standards for in-store payments and paving the way for broader global adoption.
About Mastercard
Mastercard (NYSE: MA) is a global technology company in the payments industry, dedicated to building an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere. Through secure data, networks, partnerships, and innovative solutions, Mastercard connects over 210 countries and territories, making transactions safe, simple, and accessible.
