Visa and Mastercard are launching biometric passkeys for card payment authentication in India. This system enables users to approve online credit and debit transactions using face scans or fingerprints instead of one-time passwords (OTPs). The initiative represents the first at-scale, OTP-less authentication framework in the Indian market.
The technology aims to streamline the checkout process while addressing concerns regarding card fraud. This rollout aligns with current guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Implementation will be gradual, offering customers the choice to adopt passkeys or continue using OTPs. Early trials conducted by Mastercard show that 30% of customers chose to move away from traditional OTPs when offered the option.