Chicago (IL) - Shell has begun setting up test stations to allow customers to pay for gasoline by simply touching a biometric scanner with their finger.

Ten Shell locations in Chicago are testing out the new payment system, called "Pay By Touch".  Biometric scanners are placed at each pump, as well as in the checkout area of the convenience store.

Customers can register for the payment system by visiting a kiosk inside the store, which allows you to scan your fingerprint and then link it to a checking account or credit card.  The linked payment method can always be changed at the kiosk, or online.

Chris Susse, manager of innovations at Shell, told the Associated Press the system makes paying for gas faster and more secure.  Customers "don't want to carry more cards, kits and keychains, and they want [the new payment system] to be free," he said.

Local Chicago supermarket Sunflower Market installed Pay By Touch several months ago.  Only around 2% of its customers have enrolled for the innovative payment option, reports the AP, mainly because of privacy concerns.

However, Shell says it will not release any information to third parties, and that the Pay By Touch system will conform to its existing privacy policy.  The gasoline company says it expects the innovation to drive sales.

"We'd like to see an increase in customer loyalty because we're the only gas retailer offering this service," said Susse.

No way

Nov 01, 2007 11:35     

No way am I giving up my biometric data just to save a few seconds while paying for gas. I don't get how people can just give that kind of information away for a minor convenience.
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1984

Nov 01, 2007 12:16     

Another possiable big brother situation. Every company says they will not give out personnal info and we all know how well that has worked out.
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you are kidding right?

Nov 01, 2007 12:47     

all the 24 hour fitness gym locations are using fingerprints for access. instead of showing id and membership card for scanning you enter phone number and scan fingertip. I see this being used all over the place in the very near future.
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which finger?

Nov 01, 2007 13:34     

I wonder which finger many will use with it? :) Mysthbusters have proven a way to get around that. Perhaps if they used it in addition to a credit or debit card? It would elminate having to sign for it and still be safer than just have them charge it to your card without requiring a signature.
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Re: No way

Nov 01, 2007 13:57     

I think it's just a matter of common acceptance before it will turn into a norm. If you regard biometric data as a part of a "personal information", then it's no more than exposing yourself physically to the public, walking in the streets, giving your name and address anywhere, credit card having your personal information and also printed in your receipt. There are lots of things that we have given away for convenience, and it turned into part of a social norm. It depends what biometric data (in this case we are talking about fingerprints) CAN reveal. Pardon my ignorance, but what else can fingerprints do?

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Re: No way

Nov 01, 2007 14:17     

I agree fully, my privacy comes first. always
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Crime

Nov 01, 2007 14:42     

Can't wait for the first new story where a thief cuts someones finger off.
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wells fargo

Nov 01, 2007 18:23     

Do any of you bank at Wells Fargo? Well if you do be prepared to shell out a finger print. When ever you goto cash a check Wells Fargo requires a finger print on the back of the check. I use a finger print reader on my computer for my passwords and it works just fine. I don't see how this is going to be any different then using a card. Then need to make a system tied to all credit cards that require a finger print and a pin number. The finger print well verify who the person is and the pin number will confirm the account. With both of these measures in place it is safer then using checks or credit cards.

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Fingerprints are not stored

Nov 02, 2007 08:50     

Fingerprint readers do not actually store the fingerprint. They scan the fingerprint during the enrollment process and extract a template. Their are no jpeg's, gif,s or png,s etc being stored, the memory needed for that would need to be much to large. Not to mention it would slow down the authentication procedure big time! Is it possible to theoretically reconstruct a fingerprint from the template points? Is Shell using a different system where they still use the template but keep the real fingerprint stored on their server? Also the mythbusters show used a cheap sensor to test on and there are sensors out there that the gummy bear technique WILL NOT work on. Biometrics are the way of the future!! Btw - I am a professional Locksmith and Security Specialist in the Denver area.

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Ummm....

Nov 14, 2007 23:04     

Like it or not someday we will all be LoJacked just like on Demolition Man. People with high security clearance for the government are already been "chipped" with RDIF chips. The idea is to get rid of the security access cards to prevent the possibility of being stolen or duplicated illegally. There are times I wish I can get rid of my wallet entirely and just use my hand that's been chipped and fingerprint to pay for stuff. This would even work if you ever been pulled over by a cop. He wouldn't need to see a driver's license. All you have to do is wave your hand into the reader and it'll pull up a digital photo of you and all the necessary information from their server. I think eventually we will get there. Meanwhile we really can't cry afoul of "invasion of privacy" when you actually have control of your hand that's been chipped. Keep in mind the chip does not contain any personal information or credit card numbers. All it does is send out a unique serial number that is been assigned to you. It's up to them to match that number into their database.

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