Auntie Beeb wrote:Has chip and pin had its day?
Go to a cash machine in Japan or Poland and there's a good chance you'll find a finger-sized scanner next to the keypad.
Orly? It's been a while since I've withdrawn cash in Poland (17 years IIRC), but the only cash machines I've seen a fingerprint scanner on are the post office ones.
Auntie Beeb wrote:The pattern of veins inside your finger is said to be more distinctive than your fingerprint, and is being heralded by some experts as a more secure alternative to the chip and pin (Personal Identification Number) card system currently favoured by British banks.
Electronics giant Hitachi already manufactures a PC-compatible finger vein scanner, which is about the size of a computer mouse and contains LED lights and a video camera.
Currently retailing online for £195 plus VAT each, they are not a cheap option.
"It is the fastest and most accurate technology we've seen to date," said Roberto Fiorentino, chief executive of British firm Croma Security Solutions, which has fitted finger vein-based security systems in UK hotels, airports and most recently a police armoury.
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