# Face Recognition Payment Tools Alibaba's 'Smile To Pay' Lets You Pay Via Face Scan By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-03-16 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smile-to-pay References: [marketwatch](http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alibaba-wants-you-to-make-mobile-payments-with-a-smile-2015-03-16) & [alibaba](http://www.alibaba.com/) Smile To Pay is an innovative new payment service, being tested by Chinese e-commerce giant [Alibaba](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alibaba-4), that uses facial recognition technology to verify payers' identities. Currently in beta testing mode, the service was unveiled by Alibaba's CEO Jack Ma during a speech at the CeBit tech trade fair. The technology is being developed by Ant Financial for use with the online payment service Alipay and [Alipay Wallet](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alipay), a service comparable to [Apple](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-tap-to-pay) Pay. Smile To Pay is expected to be rolled out in China first, although there are currently no dates available for an official launch. However it is hoped that the service will eventually become widely rolled out in other countries. With many services now using fingerprint identification and even eye scanning verification, it looks like Alibaba has decided to take an even more ambitious lead with this facial recognition payment venture. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 62% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Facial Recognition Payment:** The use of facial recognition technology for payment verification opens up opportunities for secure and convenient transactions. - **Innovation in Payment Services:** Alibaba's Smile To Pay service demonstrates the potential for disruptive innovation in the payment industry. - **Global Expansion of Payment Technology:** The eventual worldwide roll-out of Smile To Pay could disrupt the global payment landscape and drive adoption of facial recognition technology. ### Where This Applies - **E-commerce:** The use of facial recognition technology in payment services will revolutionize the e-commerce industry by enhancing security and streamlining transactions. - **Mobile Payment:** Smile To Pay's integration with Alipay and Alipay Wallet presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the mobile payment industry. - **Biometric Technology:** The adoption of facial recognition technology in payment services signals a potential disruption in the biometrics industry, offering new applications and use cases. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Smart Glasses Payment Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alipay.md) - [Facial Recognition Checkouts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contactless-store.md) - [Palm-Enabled Contactless Payments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-6.md) - [Smart Cashierless Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cashierless-shop.md) - [Grocery Payment Palm Scanners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-one-1.md) - [Smile-Detecting Shopping Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-joy-fully.md) - [Smart Shopping AR Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meizu.md) - [Tap-to-Pay Smartphone Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-tap-to-pay.md) - [AI-Powered Payment Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mashgin-1.md)