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TSB to deploy iris recognition technology to enable customer authentication


TSB is set to become the first European bank to deploy eye-scanning technology to allow customers to login in securely to their accounts.

The iris recognition technology, developed by Samsung, is to be available to some of TSB's mobile banking app users from September, the bank announced on Thursday. TSB already allows customers to access their bank accounts using fingerprint technology.

TSB claimed iris scanning is "the most secure form of biometric authentication available today", and that the technology is "the most user-friendly".

Carlos Abarca, TSB’s chief information officer, said: "Iris recognition allows you to unlock your TSB mobile app with a simple glance, meaning all of those IDs, passwords and memorable information become a thing of the past. As well as a more customer-friendly approach to identification, iris recognition is also the most secure method of authentication available today."

"We want our mobile app customers to continue to have a fast, easy-to-use experience; iris recognition delivers that and, when combined with our other security measures, an unparalleled level of cybersecurity," Abarca said.

Information law expert Marc Dautlich of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said: "It used to be said that the vision for iris recognition technology was quite fuzzy. However the technology has continued to improve to deal with issues such as irises changing over time as people age, making it less reliable. I think we will see more adoption as banks and other custodians of similarly sensitive datasets seek that apparently elusive combination of user-friendliness and good security."

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