Revolut has begun piloting its new facial-recognition checkout system, “Pay with Smile”, allowing customers to settle bills by scanning their faces at point-of-sale terminals.
Speaking to Metro, DDH’s Prof. Btihaj Ajana warns that that Revolut’s facial-recognition payment trial turns sensitive bodily data collection into a routine commercial practice, steadily eroding consumer anonymity. Having observed the technology deployed in China, Ajana cautions that framing biometric scans as everyday convenience normalises pervasive surveillance, fosters passive compliance, and makes opting out increasingly difficult. Crucially, unlike passwords or payment cards, facial biometrics cannot be reset once compromised, leaving users permanently exposed if breaches occur.
Full Metro article is accessible here.