Recent technological advancements have enabled Chinese companies to use palm-print recognition technology in everyday settings. However, significant ethical and practical questions still need to be addressed.

Palm-Print Payments: A New Proposition

Would you want a bottle of soda for just one cent? Before you say yes, there’s a catch: you have to pay by scanning your palm and sharing your information with a Chinese tech giant. This was the proposition Tencent made to a handful of Chinese consumers recently, as seen in a video posted on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, in late September. In the video, a person who appears to be a WeChat employee instructs people to place their hand in front of a recognition device and record their palm prints in exchange for the special soda deal. "New feature of WeChat Pay. Everyone is welcome to try our service and support us," the voice says.

According to social media posts collected by MIT Technology Review, Tencent, the company that owns the payment system WeChat Pay, has been testing palm-print payment devices in the country for months. Supporters of palm-print recognition claim the technology is more accurate and secure than other forms of biometrics. Unlike fingerprint or facial recognition, palm-print technology distinguishes different palms by analyzing visible lines and veins beneath the skin, making it a promising frontier in biometric recognition.

The Development of Palm-Print Technology

David Zhang, a leading scholar in palm-print recognition and a Shenzhen-based professor at the School of Data Science in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, stated, "We’ve been working on palm-print recognition for over 20 years. It’s ready." Tencent is now leveraging this readiness to compete with Alipay for market dominance. Amid China's zero-covid policies, which mean people still wear masks and avoid physical contact, palm-print recognition offers a convenient alternative to facial or fingerprint recognition.

Privacy Concerns and Ethical Challenges

While palm-print recognition boasts several advantages, such as higher accuracy and security, it also raises significant privacy concerns. Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), cautions, "Retailers get hacked all the time. When most retailers get hacked, at worst you have to change your credit card number. But you can’t change your palm print if that gets compromised."

In late 2021, Chinese media first reported Tencent was exploring a palm-print-based payment system. Initially described as an internal research project, the company has since expanded its testing in cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Social media videos show palm-print payment devices in cafes, bakeries, and supermarkets. These devices, often accompanied by small discounts to incentivize usage, resemble white iPad-sized boxes with screens displaying instructions and cameras capturing palm data.

The Future of Palm-Print Recognition

Despite its potential, the adoption of palm-print recognition payment faces practical and ethical barriers. Martin Chorzempa, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, notes, "The QR code system works very well already and is quite convenient. It’s not like people go anywhere without their phones." Privacy concerns further complicate widespread adoption, as people are increasingly wary of sharing biometric data with companies and governments.

Researchers and companies working on palm-print recognition argue that it offers greater security than facial recognition due to the unique and detailed nature of palm prints. However, these benefits may seem marginal when traditional payment methods are still viable. Chinese social media users have already responded to WeChat Pay's palm-print recognition trials with skepticism. One user commented, "So they have finished collecting all other biometrics and moved onto palm prints? Irises will be next, and then DNA."

The potential for data misuse and privacy breaches remains a significant concern. "Oftentimes, what few rules companies impose on the ways that they can use our biometric data can evaporate in a heartbeat if the corporate unit that owned that data is sold off or the company goes bankrupt," says Cahn. "Suddenly it will be a free-for-all for our biometric data."

Palm-Print Recognition Amid Pandemic

The pandemic and China’s strict zero-covid policies provide both the right time and place for palm-print recognition technology to grow. As people continue to wear masks, facial recognition becomes less effective, and contactless payment options are preferred. Palm-print recognition, which scans patterns from a few inches away, offers a suitable alternative.

Other Chinese companies are also exploring the commercial potential of palm-print recognition technology. DeepBlue Technology, for example, sells several palm-vein recognition products, highlighting their utility in environments like gyms and schools.

Government Involvement and Surveillance Concerns

Governments are also stepping into the palm-print recognition space. On October 28, Shenzhen introduced a new subway line that allows certain demographic groups to register their palm-vein information and use it for free access. However, this raises concerns about the technology's potential use for surveillance, given China's extensive surveillance infrastructure.

Martin Chorzempa warns, "It can be a slippery slope. Once something becomes ubiquitous and convenient, then it also becomes an [alluring] tool for the government to increase social control."

In conclusion, while palm-print recognition technology offers promising advantages in terms of accuracy and security, it also raises significant ethical and privacy concerns. The balance between technological advancement and individual privacy will be crucial as companies like Tencent continue to explore the potential of this emerging technology.