QNB first in Qatar to launch facial payments solution

QNB Group has launched a new biometric payment acceptance solution for its merchants in Qatar. QNB, together with its key partners, will be helping merchants with outlets in Qatar to offer customers the simplicity, convenience and security of facial biometric payments.This solution is based on proprietary facial verification technology developed by PopID, provisioned through QNB’s acceptance network, and supported by Visa via tokenisation.The technology enables customers to authenticate payments for goods and services through facial verification, without a physical card or mobile phone after initial enrolment. As a one-time sign-up, users will create their profile by taking a selfie of their face using their smartphone, before entering their phone number and card details.The technology then tokenises the card number and securely links it to the facial biometric template. It only takes a minute or two to set this up and then only a few seconds to make the payment. The merchants will offer the in-store sign-up using a QR capability.These developments "highlight the driving forces behind facial biometric technology and the wide range of opportunities it is opening up for the future of payment solutions and much more", the bank said in a statement.Adel al-Malki, senior executive vice-president (Group Retail Banking), said: "As the payment landscape evolves, QNB is always at the forefront of this evolution, and constantly willing to be an early adopter of innovative technologies that drive frictionless and enhanced payment experience – putting our customers and merchants experience at the centre of everything we do. Being the ‘first in Qatar’ in another innovation that augments the already rich range of payment options that includes functionality such as contactless payments, QNB ‘MyPOS’ (Tap on Phone payment acceptance) and Samsung/Google/Apple pay, to mention a few.""In America and Japan, we have demonstrated that allowing consumers to link PopPay to loyalty accounts and payment methods substantially increases speed of ordering and check out, drives loyalty engagement, and reduces fraud,” said John Miller, CEO, PopID and its parent company, Cali Group."We are excited to work with Visa and QNB to bring this loyalty and payment platform to businesses and consumers in Qatar,” Miller added.