Beijing Subway mulls face, palm scanning

PETALING JAYA (June 19): Beijing Subway may introduce face and palm scanning, among other biometric technology throughout its networks in the capital to enable commuters to pay their fares, reported China Daily.

These will allow commuters to bypass traditional ticketing systems and also allow them to top up their online accounts, said its head of enterprise development Zhang Huabing.

The rail operator currently employs palm scanning on the Pujiang line that enables six groups of people — including disabled soldiers and wounded police — to travel for free.

However, CNBC noted that the increasing use of biometrics could heighten concerns over surveillance on commuters, in light of the country’s sensitivities over censorship and privacy.