Shoppers are threatening to boycott supermarkets after it was reported that they are set to introduce biometric payment methods at the checkout by early next year.
It was reported weeks ago that supermarket giants across the UK could soon ask shoppers to ditch cash and card payments, and instead use their face or fingerprints at the checkout. A trial is in place to increase shopper security at the tills, though some may see it as a step closer to a cashless society.
Social media users took to Twitter to express their disappointment over the reports.
Bad move forcing people into doing something that they do not want to do!
Prepare for losses!Shop local and/or farmers markets!
Support British Farmers! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧— TraceyA (@TraceyA54242410) May 24, 2022
Simple solution… ALWAYS buy local, support local and go to farmers markets. Put those big business supermarkets out of business.
— 🌠 Jeanette🌠 (@Jeanett32791947) May 24, 2022
If people don't boycott supermarkets doing this then all of them will follow. Then it will be everywhere. Then we are entrapped. https://t.co/HcVCUGuTmQ
— Moon Dogs (@fansofoutlyre) May 31, 2022
Mastercard is trialing a biometric payment system that could see customers just use their face rather than contactless cards, smartphones or PINs. Shoppers would be able to smile or wave a hand at a scanner to pay for their shopping.
Customers would be able to scan their face or fingerprint using a supermarket’s smartphone app and link their likeness to a bank card, reports said. Payments Card and Mobile website says it would work in a similar way to Apple’s facial ID while The Telegraph reported that Mastercard wants to roll out the program worldwide for small and large retailers.
The biometric facial recognition software would lead to shorter queues, be more hygienic than tapping in a pin, and less vulnerable to fraud linked to credit and debit cards, reports quoted Mastercard as saying.
