“The payment card, which recently saw the conclusion of two successful trial programs in South Africa, features an embedded fingerprint sensor, replacing PIN-based security with biometric authentication.”

IDEX isn’t the only biometrics specialist providing technology for Mastercard’s new biometric payment card: Safran Identity & Security has revealed that it is also involved in the pioneering project.

The payment card, which recently saw the conclusion of two successful trial programs in South Africa, features an embedded fingerprint sensor, replacing PIN-based security with biometric authentication. Last last month, IDEX revealed that it is the supplier of the fingerprint sensor; and it has now come to light that Safran Identity & Security is providing the biometric software upon which it operates, and is also involved in the card’s manufacture.

In a statement, Safran Identity & Security President Anne Bouverot said her company proud to help “facilitate the future of payments” with Mastercard, adding that biometric technology “enables seamless payment transactions without compromising security.” Echoing recent comments from IDEX CEO Hemant Mardia, Safran Identity & Security also noted that the biometric card technology offers applications “beyond authenticating payment transactions.”

Mastercard is planning further trials of the biometric card in Europe and the APAC region, with a wide rollout expected for later this year.