Revolut has introduced a facial recognition payment system, allowing customers to pay for purchases using their face, a first for the UK. The 'Pay with Smile' feature is being trialled at Hippo cafes in Bloomsbury, Chelsea, and Soho, London, from September 24 to 26.
Shoppers using a Revolut Register can select 'Pay with Smile' on the screen to complete a face identity check, similar to unlocking a smartphone. The facial scan verifies the shopper's identity against information provided when they signed up for Revolut, then processes the payment.
How the technology works
Customers must opt in to Revolut Pay with Smile in their Revolut app settings to use the feature. Revolut has stressed that users will not be opted in by default and that consent can be withdrawn at any time. The company says facial recognition data is encrypted end-to-end and that personal data will not be stored by merchants.
Despite these assurances, privacy campaigners have raised concerns. Big Brother Watch warned that 'no system is ever entirely secure.' Jack Coulson, Head of Advocacy at Big Brother Watch, said: 'How people want to conduct their banking is their choice, but they should be under no illusions that giving away their biometrics is safe. Revolut may feel they are offering convenience, but they are also normalising a dangerous technology, and it is users who bear the risk.'
Privacy concerns raised
Coulson added: 'You can get a new passport, but your face is irreplaceable. Lost face scans can be used to fool identity checks and produce deepfakes, including sexualised images. The kind of potential violation is profound and unprecedented.'
The technology is being piloted from today and will be rolled out more widely in due course. Revolut is also offering 0 per cent processing fees on Revolut Pay with Smile transactions, which is said to ease the burden on independent venues.
Rollout plans
Alex Codina, general manager of merchant payments at Revolut Business, said: 'By combining high-performance processing with facial recognition technology, we're replacing outdated, fragmented tills with a hyper-efficient checkout experience designed to solve consumer and merchant pain points.'
Alex Damgaci, managing director at Kiss the Hippo Coffee, said: 'We're looking forward to welcoming guests to try Pay with Smile at our Bloomsbury, Soho and Chelsea cafes before we roll out across all 12 of our cafes later this year.'
