Mastercard launches selfie payment technology in Europe

US credit card company Mastercard is to launch new technology that will allow online shoppers to authenticate their accounts through facial recognition.

Technology companies have been working to develop systems whereby passwords and numerical codes are unnecessary in the near future.

Through a connection with their smartphone, Mastercard customers will receive an alert which will be able to make use of the innovative new biometrics technology. The user simply employs their camera to recognise their face using a "selfie".

Fingerprint recognition will also be introduced,

Trials have taken place in various regions, such as the US, Canada and the Netherlands. It will now be made available in the United Kingdom, as well as the likes of Germany, Spain and Belgium.

"We are relentlessly focused on making the online payment experience near frictionless, without making any compromises on safety and security," said Mastercard spokesperson Ajay Bhalla. "This is a significant milestone in the evolution of payments."

Mastercard believes that the new system is more secure and convenient than the use of passwords. The trial in the Netherlands led some three quarters of the credit card users surveyed to say they would like to continue with the system.