Shoppers in Shanghai now have a safer way to pay money as
thousands of retailers have launched an electronic payment terminal
that can match consumers' fingerprints with their bank accounts,
Jiefang Daily reported today.
The retailers include department stores, supermarkets,
restaurants and entertainment venues such as Parkson Department
Store and Kedi convenience store, the report said.
When customers place a finger on the payment terminal, the
system will recognize the fingerprint and take money from their
bank account.
People who have an account with the Agricultural Bank of China
can register their fingerprints at the bank's Changning branch, the
report said.
Consumers can also open an "electronic wallet" and register
their fingerprints at China Unicom outlets, and convenience store
such as Lawson and Kedi, the report said.
Live By Touch Holdings Ltd, operator of the system, said paying
by fingerprint is safer than credit cards because no one can
imitate the fingerprint.
(Shanghai Daily October 12, 2007)
