PayU launches biometric authentication solution for Card Payments

By Gloria Mathias

PayU has introduced Flash Pay, a biometric authentication solution for card payments. Designed to simplify the payment experience and enhance security, it was unveiled at the Global FinTech Festival (GFF) 2024.

This solution combines the ease of a seamless payment experience with robust security measures, meeting both customer aspirations for convenience and banks’ stringent authentication requirements.

Flash Pay leverages advanced device-based biometric technology, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, to authenticate payments swiftly and securely. With transactions completed in under 10 seconds, customers no longer need to rely on traditional OTP-based authentication.

For merchants, Flash Pay provides a one-stop solution for card payment authentication across all major card networks. Designed as a simple plug-and-play system, Flash Pay enables quick and secure biometric payments. PayU plans to make Flash Pay accessible through SDKs, APIs, and web browser-based transactions, ensuring it meets the needs of all merchant types.

Banks will benefit from Flash Pay’s seamless integration with their existing ACS (Access Control Server) infrastructure, which is typically used for SMS OTP. Operating within 3D Secure protocols established by EMVCo, Flash Pay also incorporates advanced security features such as device binding and jailbreak detection. Supported by a comprehensive fraud risk management (FRM) engine, Flash Pay offers banks enhanced control over customer authentication and upholds high levels of financial security. Additionally, the solution aligns with the Reserve Bank of India’s latest draft guidelines on Additional Factor Authentication (AFA).

Manas Mishra, PayU’s Chief Product Officer, said, “At PayU, we take pride in serving the digital payments ecosystem by consistently launching industry-leading, innovative payment solutions that are safe, secure, and easy to adopt, aligning with RBI’s vision. Flash Pay reflects our dedication to customer-centricity and our ongoing efforts to provide secure, efficient, and seamless card payment solutions that meet the evolving needs of our users.”

FlashPay was demonstrated at GFF 2024 in partnership with South Indian Bank, a long-standing collaborator of Wibmo. In addition to enabling biometric authentication for online card payments on merchant apps, South Indian Bank also offers customers the ability to authenticate transactions on the bank’s app using the innovative Swipe-to-Pay feature.