Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Traditional payment methods, including credit cards and digital applications, could soon be a thing of the past in the UAE, as residents will soon experience faster, seamless transactions through the palm of their hands. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) is currently developing "palm ID" technology in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE, as announced by the authority during Gitex 2024. In "palm ID" technology, residents simply need to place their palm on a sensor to complete their transactions. Unlike facial recognition, palm vein technology is viewed as less intrusive. The technology will connect users to entities in both the public and private sectors. Individuals can register their palm biometrics with the ICP using their Emirates ID card or other available methods. “This mode of palm vein payments can also be used at crowded places like metro stations to make it easier for people to access services. Instead of a metro card, people will be able to use a palm to access the metro. It is also highly secure because you can not share details with others, which sometimes people do for their credit cards,” said an ICP spokesperson at Gitex 2024. According to the spokesperson, the technology is at the last stage of development and will be soon rolled out to the public once all the necessary requirements are met. The UAE will be the first Middle East country to roll out this new technology. FLE/Expat Media
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