MasterCard testing selfies for processing payments

Exploiting the selfie craze, MasterCard plans to use digitized maps of users' faces to make the payment process simple and fraud-free.

The maps will be stored as a hash on the server.

Users can pay through a mobile app using either fingerprints or simply staring into it and blinking once. The blink is used to deter people from using a picture of the person to outwit the system.

The resulting hash will be compared with the stored one to approve payments.

Users will have to download the MasterCard phone app to use the feature.

"The new generation, which is into selfies ... I think they'll find it cool. They'll embrace it," said Ajay Bhalla, who is in charge of coming up with innovative solutions for MasterCard's security challenges.

MasterCard will launch a pilot program with 500 users to check the idea with fingerprints and facial scans. Once the problems are ironed out, it will be rolled out commercially.

MasterCard is partnering with smartphone makers including Apple, BlackBerry, Google, Microsoft and Samsung for the planned biometric move.

Details are not yet available on which bank customers will get the app first.

The current practice of using a code operated by a password is mostly secure except when passwords are forgotten, stolen or intercepted.

Apple's use of biometrics in Apple Pay usage has prompted more banks to follow the path, writes CNN Money.

Bhalla says MasterCard will store the data in binary form and will not be able to reconstruct your face but merely use the data to match faces.

The information would remain safe on the company's computer servers, something not many cybersecurity experts like, saying it could be open to hacking. They prefer personal data to stay on the phone.

MasterCard is also experimenting with voice and heartbeat recognition.