Touch ‘n Go ewallet now supports biometrics for payments

PETALING JAYA: TNG Digital is introducing biometric authentication – fingerprint and facial recognition – for transactions, along with support for passkeys as an option for logging in to its Touch n’ Go ewallet.

The biometric security features can be used for services such as making payments at outlets, facilitating peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers, DuitNow QR payments and in-app purchases such as topping up prepaid credit and settling bills.

TNG Digital said the new security measures are being rolled out in batches, indicating that the features may not be available to all users at this point.

“As part of our security strategy, some users will be able to use the biometric method for unlocking the app and making payments. This is applicable to both Apple and Android users,” it said.

The security features are supported on Android devices running operating systems from version 9 to 13, as well as Apple devices running iOS 16 and later.

TNG Digital had initially introduced support for facial recognition to authenticate payments on iPhones in 2021 but removed it later.

For logins, users can choose to use passkeys, as TNG Digital leverages the Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) credential stored on a device to verify their identity, which encompasses fingerprint and facial recognition, as a substitute for passwords.

This provides a more secure alternative to traditional passwords as it relies on a user’s biometrics.

To create a passkey, users can navigate to their profile settings, choose Security Authentication, and tap on the login option. From there, select “Create a passkey”, after which instructions will be provided on-screen for users to follow.

In case the device is lost, the company provides a guide on its FAQ page to remove the passkey.