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American Express has announced the addition of facial and fingerprint recognition to its SafeKey authentication tool, in a move aimed at bolstering security and simplifying the online checkout process. The introduction of these biometric features makes American Express the first card issuer to offer such capabilities.
John J. Kieley, Vice President of Digital Identity and Commerce Experiences at American Express, highlighted the company’s commitment to staying ahead of fraudsters and ensuring safe online shopping for its card members. He stated, “Now, checking out safely and securely is as easy as unlocking your phone. It’s how we check in when you checkout.”
SafeKey, which verifies the identity of customers when they make online purchases, traditionally employed methods such as codes or app notifications for confirmation. However, the upgraded version will now incorporate facial or fingerprint recognition for eligible members.
To access this pilot feature, members will need to complete a security validation during the SafeKey checkout process and use a device and browser that support facial and fingerprint recognition. The enhanced features are expected to become available to all consumer card members in the U.S. in early 2023.
This move aligns with the growing popularity of biometric payments, including facial and fingerprint recognition, across various industries. A recent PYMNTS and AWS study revealed that facial recognition is the most common form of biometric payment authentication for shoppers. The study found that 28% of consumers had used facial recognition to verify an online purchase in the past 30 days, with 27% doing the same using fingerprint scans.
However, it’s worth noting that while facial recognition is prevalent, consumers tend to prefer fingerprint scans as their preferred authentication method, with 14% choosing fingerprints compared to 13% for facial recognition.
The need for enhanced security measures in online transactions is underscored by the increasing sophistication of fraudsters. Non-biometric methods like one-time passcodes (OTPs) are still valid but are increasingly targeted by fraudsters. These attacks can compromise user information, leading to potential security breaches.
As the digital payment landscape evolves, American Express is taking proactive steps to ensure the security and convenience of its card members, aligning with the industry’s shift towards biometric authentication methods.
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