Payments Over Chrome Browser Get Biometric Security on Android

Google has announced that Android owners will soon be able to use face and fingerprint recognition to authorize payments in the Chrome web browser. The news comes shortly after Google introduced a similar utility for devices that support the Windows Hello platform.

To take advantage of the new feature, users will first need to select “Screen Lock” as a payment confirmation method in the Chrome settings on their Android device. They will then be asked to register that device and link their credit card information to their biometric template. They will also need to enter their CVC number the first time they use a credit card. After that, however, the user will be able to complete all future transactions with only a biometric scan.

The biometric payment feature is not yet available, but is expected to arrive sometime in the next few weeks. The system leverages the WebAuthn standard, while the user’s biometric information will be stored locally on the device and will not be shared with any other parties.

According to XDA Developers, Google is also planning to introduce an improved autofill feature that will make it easier (and safer) to enter information when accessing various accounts. That news comes after January reports indicated that Google was developing a system that would ask for biometric authentication before moving forward with autofill requests.

Google has already enabled biometric authentication for Android users who are trying to log in to various Google services.   

Source: XDA Developers

(Originally posted on Mobile ID World)