Types and applications of biometric technology in cross-border e-commerce payments

Biometric technology is becoming increasingly important in cross-border e-commerce payments and settlements. With the rapid development of digital and information technology, biometric technology uses unique physical characteristics (such as fingerprints, irises, etc.) for identity verification and has become one of the main ways to verify identity.

Main types of biometric technologies

1. Facial recognition
   Facial recognition relies on unique facial features to effectively distinguish between different individuals. Even twins can have subtle differences in facial features. By capturing facial images, combined with thermal imaging technology, facial recognition can form standardized templates for easy identification and verification.

2. Palm shape recognition
   This technology is based on an individual’s unique palm print shape for identity verification. Everyone’s fingerprints and palmprints cannot be copied. Through this unique feature, the association between personal identity information and palmprints can be established.

3. Body Odor Identification
   Body odor is a specific odor that is emitted by each person. Biometric technology can confirm an individual’s identity by detecting these smells. Odors emitted by human bodies are recorded due to their volatile properties and aid in identity verification.

4. Speech recognition
   Speech recognition confirms identity by analyzing the sounds produced by individuals. Each person’s voice has unique sound wave characteristics, which basically do not change after the physiological state is stable, making this recognition technology more reliable.

5. Iris recognition
   As a more advanced technology, iris recognition uses the unique details of the human eye’s irises for identity verification. Each person’s iris has a different shape, including filaments, spots and stripes, and its inherent uniqueness makes it an important technology for identity verification.

6. Retina recognition
   Retinal recognition confirms identity by monitoring the characteristics of the retina inside the eye. Compared with iris recognition, retinal recognition provides higher uniqueness and becomes a more secure identification method.

Application of biometric technology in payment and settlement

As people’s demand for secure payments continues to increase, the application of biometric technology is becoming more widespread. For example, Alipay launched face recognition payment in 2016, which marked another breakthrough in biometric technology in the payment field. In the future, various biometric features such as voice, fingerprint, and palm print will become the standard verification method for payment and settlement, no longer relying on traditional account numbers and passwords.

Through the high uniqueness and stability of these biometric characteristics, biometric technology not only improves the security of authentication, but also avoids the trouble caused by forgotten passwords. The popularity of this technology makes digital technology more convenient and provides users with more security.

As an important tool for modern identity recognition, biometric technology has broad application prospects and is of great significance to improving the security and convenience of cross-border e-commerce.