On October 14, a Chinese tech publication reported that Tencent had launched a feature in WeChat allowing users to pay by verifying their palm prints. This news gained significant attention in China, where WeChat Pay is already widely used by 800 million individuals and 10 million vendors. However, this development has also raised concerns about the implications of exchanging biometric data for convenience and safety.

Despite the initial report, direct evidence of Tencent's deployment of palm-print payment technology has been limited. Reports mainly reference low-resolution photos and Tencent's trademark registrations, such as “微信刷掌 (WeChat palm scan)” and “WePalm” Additionally, Tencent has applied for patents related to palm-print recognition technology, including a patent approved in December for “scanning and paying equipment” that recognizes QR codes, palmprint information, and palm vein information.

Further investigation through Chinese social media platforms, particularly Douyin and WeChat Channels, revealed user-uploaded videos demonstrating the use of palmprint payment devices in various locations since at least July. These videos, primarily from Shenzhen and Guangzhou, show users testing the new payment method in cafes, bakeries, and supermarkets. WeChat appears to offer small discounts to incentivize users to try the new feature and submit their palm-print data.

The palmprint payment devices observed in the videos are white boxes, roughly the size of an iPad, featuring a screen for instructions and a camera for capturing palm data. Users reported a seamless process where they place their hand in front of the device to complete transactions. In one notable video from late September, a WeChat employee explained the new feature and encouraged users to try it, offering a soda for one cent as a reward for participating.

Despite the visible testing, there is no clear information on how the collected data will be used. The devices are marked for trial use, with some locations explicitly noting that they are for internal testing. Users are not provided with details about data usage, raising concerns about privacy and data security.

This report underscores the difficulty of understanding technological developments in China from the outside, due in part to censorship and restrictive border policies. However, Chinese video platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou offer valuable insights, despite the challenge of sorting through video content.

The introduction of palmprint recognition technology by Tencent raises several questions:

1. Why is palmprint technology emerging now, following the widespread adoption of facial recognition?

2. How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced its development, considering the prevalence of face masks?

3. What impact will increasing awareness of data privacy have on the adoption of palmprint recognition?

These questions highlight the complex interplay between technological innovation, user convenience, and data privacy.

Tencent's potential rollout of palmprint payment technology in WeChat represents a significant development in China's digital payment landscape. While still in the trial phase, the technology's implementation and user reception will provide important insights into the future of biometric payment systems and their acceptance among consumers.