Shoppers in China use facial recognition to buy goods

Shoppers in China do not need cash, cards, wallet, and smartphones to buy goods. They can purchase goods with just a turn of their heads as the country has rolled out a new payment system that requires only face recognition.

How does it work? After a person purchases goods, he/she poses in front of point-of-sale (POS) machines equipped with cameras and the money will be deducted from the bank account. The customers only have to add his/her photo to a digital payment system or bank account.

Is the use of this technology new? No. The software is already widely used, often to monitor citizens. Authorities use it to nab jaywalkers and catch criminals.

The use of facial recognition technology has raised heated debates in the country over data security and privacy. While some claim that the government is misusing the technology to monitor citizens, others point out how convenient it is to buy products using it.

Despite privacy concerns, consumers seem unperturbed as facial recognition payment hits the high streets.

Alipay, the financial wing of Alibaba, is leading the charge in China as it has already launched its "Smile-to-Pay" system in 100 cities. The financial arm plans to spend three billion yuan (USD 420 million) over three years to implement this technology across the country.