UPI Payment Apps Might Soon Let Us Use Biometrics Instead Of PIN To Make Transactions: Report

NPCI is reportedly talking to several companies with the aim of making UPI payments biometrically authenticated.

Many individuals lose their hard-earned money simply because they authorise a payment using their unique four or six-digit PIN. This change, if executed, can prevent that to a large extent.

Source : Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao

A sizable chunk of India has shifted to the world of online payment and has been using it for quite some time now. Be it teenagers or 50–60 year olds, thousands of people across the age groups use online payments in their day-to-day lives. UPI claim transactions worth billions are being done through several UPI apps across the nation. Soon, we might see an upgrade in those payments that promises to be safer than the practices that we currently follow. 

According to reports, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is talking to several companies with the aim of making UPI payments biometrically authenticated. To put it in simpler words, we might soon be able to use fingerprint sensor ID and Face ID on our phones to make UPI payments. 

According to a report by Moneycontrol, it seems like the UPI authority is worried about scams that are getting reported almost every single day.

Why Is NPCI Taking This Decision?

Many individuals lose their hard-earned money simply because they authorise a payment using their unique four or six-digit PIN. While UPI's system is generally secure, people sometimes fall victim to scammers and end up sending money when they intend to receive it.

It's possible that NPCI considers Face ID or biometric security as a more secure alternative for UPI transactions. However, it's unclear when Face ID might be integrated into UPI apps or which public-facing apps will adopt this feature if it does become available.

Notably, there are a slew of apps which let users make UPI payments, including Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Paytm, PhonePe. 

It will be interesting to see whether the NPCI will offer users a choice between using PINs or biometrics. The gradual phase out of the older technology might be a good idea though as it will give users enough time to get adjusted to the change.