Amazon is willing to pay $10 each for pictures of their palms

A year ago, the first Amazon One stores received special palm scanners, but due to their small number, the service was not in demand. Now, however, the number of such outlets is in the dozens, and Amazon has launched an advertising campaign that encourages customers to enter their palm data into the system. There is even a reward for doing so – a $10 coupon for in-store purchases.

The palm scan is a form of human biometric verification. Amazon says it has developed technology that takes into account the geometry of the palm, the texture and pattern of lines on the surface of the skin, and the pattern of veins underneath. All of this becomes a personal profile of the buyer, which can and should be linked to one’s account.

Officially, Amazon’s interest is that this method expands contactless payment options for purchases. It will be possible to put not a smartphone, but the palm of your hand in order to confirm the consent to write off money from the account. In other words, it will be possible to shop without any gadgets at all – the main thing is to keep your hands clean.

Critics point out that Amazon has always been lax in its answers to questions about the use of its users’ personal data. Technically, there is nothing new or alarming, because the company already knows what and how much you buy, at what time and in what locations. It knows your preferences, financial capabilities, and much of your lifestyle, which it uses for commercial purposes. Palm recognition is unlikely to change anything, especially since this information can be deleted from your account at any time.