ICICI Bank has launched a biometric authentication feature for UPI transactions on its iMobile app, allowing users to make payments up to around USD 52 using fingerprint or facial recognition.
This new feature is accessible on Android versions 30 and above, as well as iOS version 28.2 of the iMobile app. Users on Android devices can authenticate through fingerprints, whereas those on iOS can use their device’s facial recognition capabilities for these low-value transactions.
Enhancing Security and User Experience at Lower Values
The bank emphasizes that this is not just about convenience but also security. It aims to prevent shoulder-surfing, a common practice where someone can observe another person entering their PIN in public areas.
Customers retain the flexibility to choose between using a UPI PIN or opting for biometric authentication based on personal preference. The supported transaction types include peer-to-peer transfers, payments through QR codes at retail stores, and online transactions.
To activate this feature, users can navigate to their iMobile app’s UPI settings menu, select the relevant account, and enable biometric verification after re-entering their existing UPI PIN for confirmation.
ICICI Bank has ensured that its implementation adheres to current regulatory standards, though no specific regulatory body was mentioned in the announcement.
Biometric Authentication in Context
UPI, managed by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India), is one of the world’s largest real-time payment systems, processing millions of transactions daily. Biometric authentication on devices offers a secure method without storing sensitive biometric data externally, reducing potential security risks.
This move reflects an industry-wide trend in Indian retail banking towards layered authentication, where different levels of verification are applied based on transaction value. Several major banks have been progressively introducing device-native security features within their UPI applications to streamline transactions while maintaining robust security for higher-value operations.
The USD 52 (INR 5,000) threshold is in line with industry standards for low-value transaction authentication under applicable guidelines.
iMobile serves as the primary digital platform for a wide range of banking and payment activities offered by ICICI Bank and plays a crucial role in facilitating UPI-based transactions.
