Thales Launches Payment Card with Onboard Fingerprint Scanner

Thales has announced a payment card to include an onboard fingerprint sensor, promising improved security and usability – and an end to contactless payment limits.

The Thales Gemalto Biometric Sensor Payment card (BSPC), the company explained, replaces the traditional PIN with an on-card fingerprint sensor and requires no modifications to existing point-of-sale (POS) payment terminals. Banks signing up to use it, though, will need to implement a procedure for enroling users' fingerprints onto the card's secure element.

Thales claimed to have implemented the card with banks worldwide, with 30 months of live trials and 10,000 users across nine countries. ‘Over 80% of users interviewed confirmed they love it and feel it's more convenient and provides greater security,’ said Frédéric Martinez, Product Line Manager for Biometric and Advanced Payment at Thales.