UAE to Revolutionise Payments with Palm ID: Pay Bills and Withdraw Cash with Your Hand

Credit cards and other online apps that are currently used as payment methods will soon become outmoded in the United Arab Emirates as locals will no longer require them to make purchases or withdraw cash. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), working with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, is developing “palm ID” technology, a way to deliver faster, more seamless services using the palm of the hand that will be connected to companies in the public and private sectors.

This solution is a part of the UAE Vision 2031 program and currently it is in the trial and development stage. It will be on display at the ICP pavilion at Gitex Global 2024.

On the edges of the Gitex Global 2024, an ICP spokesperson told Khaleej Times that, “It is at the last stage of development. The palm veins of each individual are different. People will provide palm biometrics at the ICP platform, which will be linked to the personal profile of the individual. Enrolling palm biometrics will ensure accuracy of the individual’s details. People can make payments or withdraw cash using the palm from ATMs. This project is in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE. Work on regulations and policies is underway.”

In an effort to improve citizens’ and residents’ quality of life, UAE organisations have been making significant investments in the creation of innovative technologies and solutions. Palm vein technology is thought to be less disruptive than facial recognition. People can use their Emirates ID card or other alternative means to register their palm biometrics with ICP.

The ICP spokesperson added, “This mode of palm vein payments can also be used at crowded places like metro stations to make it easier for people to access services. Instead of a metrocard, people will be able to use a palm to access the metro. It is also highly secure because you can not share details with others, which sometimes people do for their credit cards.”

According to him, the UAE would implement this new technology before any other nation in the Middle East. “Once all the requirements are put in place, it will be rolled out for the public,” he stated.

The advantages of palm IDs

It is convenient that users only need to wave their palms to request, purchase, or finish any transaction. It is more secure compared with traditional identification systems and biometric data which is more difficult to falsify, lowering the possibility of fraud. The system’s goal is to streamline operations in banks and retail establishments, potentially cutting down on customer wait times.

The UAE’s national goal of becoming a smart nation and innovation hub is aligned with the introduction of Palm IDs. By putting such creative solutions into practice, the UAE not only raises the standard of local services but also presents its progressive perspective to the world.