# Selfie Payment Systems MasterCard's New 'Selfie Pay' Lets People Use Photos to Authorize Payments By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-10-22 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfie-pay References: [cnbc](http://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/20/mastercard-tries-out-selfie-pay-for-online-purchases.html) In place of passwords, which are easily forgotten or compromised, [MasterCard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mercedes-pay) is now testing out 'Selfie Pay' as a way for people to securely authorize online transactions. Testing for the new payment system is going on with over 200 employees from the [First Tech Federal Credit Union](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/first-answer) in the United States over the course of two months. Rather than typing in a password to finalize a purchase, people will be able to [scan a fingerprint](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biometric-system) or as a more fun option, take a selfie. To make full use of the Selfie Pay system, users are required to download the brand's Identity Check app. Knowing that some dishonest people will try to trick the system by using pre-taken photos, the service instructs users to hold up their phone, take a selfie and blink, to prove that they are in fact a real person and not a photograph. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Biometric Authentication:** The trend of using biometric authentication, such as fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, is disrupting traditional password-based authentication methods. - **Mobile Payment Systems:** The trend of using mobile devices for payment transactions is disrupting traditional cash and card-based payment systems. - **Enhanced Security Measures:** The trend of implementing enhanced security measures, such as identity verification through biometrics, is disrupting traditional methods of online transaction authorization. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Financial Technology (fintech):** The financial technology industry is being disrupted by the trend of selfie payment systems, as it requires the development of innovative authentication solutions. - **Mobile App Development:** The mobile app development industry is being disrupted by the trend of selfie payment systems, as it necessitates the creation of user-friendly and secure payment apps. - **Cybersecurity:** The cybersecurity industry is being disrupted by the trend of selfie payment systems, as it calls for advancements in biometric authentication and fraud prevention technologies. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fingerprint-Scanning Payment Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biometric-payment-cards.md) - [In-Car Fuel Payments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mercedes-pay.md) - [Business-Targeted Anti-Fraud Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antifraud-solution.md) - [Palm-Enabled Contactless Payments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-6.md) - [Tap-to-Pay Smartphone Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-tap-to-pay.md) - [Selfie Identity Verification](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cabify.md) - [Personalized Digital Payment Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mastercard-one-credential.md) - [Biometric Sensor Password Authentication](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passkey.md) - [Facial Recognition Security Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facial-recognition-security.md)