MasterCard Fingerprint Technology

 

               While searching about topics in regards to "new media", I found an interesting article on the BBC News website; apparently MasterCard, the credit card company, has released a new type of credit card that is equipped with a fingerprint sensor.  The hope is that, with this new technology, it will be much more difficult for an individual to commit credit card fraud, as I believe only the primary user's fingerprint is able to access the option of using the card.  This change would undoubtedly add a sense of security for consumers yet, from a more logical standpoint, I question the actual convenience of the new technology as a whole.  I'm simply thinking about this from a more realistic, real-world perspective; for example there are countless situations in which your mother, father or an additional family member may give you his/her card in order to complete a purchase in which they are physically unable(or simply unmotivated) to make themselves. With this new technology I wonder if it would actually be less convenient for some consumers as they would have no option of allowing another individual to access there card, even with their permission. Essentially, allowing only one user to utilize the card diminishes our current society in which adaptability and convenience is integral.  This new technology introduced by MasterCard is currently only in the beta-testing stage of the product, realizing in only a few, small countries to test the response from consumers; I assume as the company gains more insight from customers they will adjust and properly alter their technology which, in my opinion, could truly be groundbreaking.

-Jaedyn Krebs-Carr

Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-39643453