The Tashkent Metro has reportedly rolled out a new fare payment system utilizing palm biometrics combined with a virtual HUMO payment card. This integration brings together the HUMO payment infrastructure, Octobank financial services, and the MyID biometric technology developed by UZINFOCOM. Proponents claim the system allows passengers to complete transit fare transactions simply by scanning their hands at turnstiles without needing physical cards or smartphones.
Key Takeaways: Passengers must complete a mandatory registration process at designated kiosks to link their palm vein patterns and virtual HUMO cards. The rollout aims to modernize urban transport, though it raises questions regarding data privacy and user onboarding friction.
According to project details, utilizing the MyID Palm service requires users to visit specific registration kiosks located within metro stations or Octobank branches. After verifying their identity and registering their palm biometrics, users must open, activate, and fund a virtual HUMO card. When passing through the turnstile, the passenger allegedly needs only to present their palm to a specialized terminal, which then processes the payment against the registered biometric profile and linked financial account.
Alexander Сотников, Chairman of the Management Board of HUMO, purportedly stated that expanding payment infrastructure involves integrating secure technologies into everyday routines. He claimed the project illustrates how payment solutions can interact with biometric platforms to offer novel ways of paying, although skeptics argue that cumbersome registration hurdles might deter widespread adoption.
While authorities plan to expand these digital solutions across the broader urban environment, industry observers remain cautious about the long-term feasibility and privacy implications of widespread biometric data collection in public transportation networks.
Source: www.uznews.uz