The multistep process of one to two seconds of facial scanning uses a 3D camera and a “live-ness detection algorithm” to guarantee a user’s identity, Alipay said. The algorithm can detect shadows and other features that can only come from living beings, thereby blocking photos or video that might be used by someone trying to hijack a person’s Alipay account. The addition of the phone-number check “further ensures the security of transactions”, Alipay’s Ant Financial affiliate said.
Alipay will offer loss coverage in the event of theft of a customer’s Smile to Pay account, Ant Financial said. Ant Financial reports has steadily improved the technology since a beta version of Smile to Pay was unveiled in 2015.
For the time being, Alipay is only offering the Smile to Pay option at the lone KPRO restaurant. Alibaba Group’s affiliate Ant Financial Services plans to expand the service to other locations over time.
