American companies such as Apple, Visa, and Microsoft (MS) have established a united front for biometrics. As they have succeeded in commercializing a biometric ring (token ring) especially, they are looking to grab the upper hand of the platform market that combines biometrics technology to various payments and IoT (Internet of Things). UnionPay is also working on converting its current QR code-based infrastructure into fingerprint authentication method. South Korean experts are concerned that South Korea may fall behind in this field if it does not show any progress.
According to South Korea’s IT and financial industries, Apple, MS, Visa, and MasterCard have succeeded in commercializing a biometric ring. Not only this ring can be used for credit card payment, but it can also be linked to Apple Pay and smartphone and for computer access and access control.
The ring can also be used to control TV or IoT and to access VR and MR (Mixed Reality).
It supports level-two bank-grade authentication as it is equipped with electrostatic touch fingerprint sensor. “A major allied force has finally taken a step forward towards “digital revolution”.” said the industry while focusing on a possible impact of the biometric ring.
Thales and Visa have joined “Windows Hello”, which is Microsoft’s biometrics security system. This system combines entry pass, network access, and computer access into single PKI (Public Key Infrastructure). There is a high chance that the system will be linked to every electronic device in the future as it is based on FIDO2. This allied force is established while having IoT industry in mind.
Windows Hello system is used through ID card. It can be used to access current location in addition to workstation, network, and account. Because it is compatible with current PKI authentication methods, it can be used without having to change current infrastructures. It is also useful for converting infrastructures into cloud infrastructure.

Photo Image
<Apple, MS, and Visa have commercialized a biometric ring (token ring).>

China, where QR code is vitalized, is also carrying out conversion and massive investments in biometrics technology.
The Chinese Government recently approved UnionPay’s fingerprint-based credit card. UnionPay is the top company in the world based on processing of payments. The Chinese Government is planning to introduce biometrics technology to the global payment market before other countries and apply fingerprint authentication technology to its national infrastructures such as entry pass, computer access, and immigration management. UnionPay signed mass-production licenses with FEITIAN that is the world’s best fingerprint sensor company and AB that is a leading payment transaction security company from China. FEITIAN is the leading smart card manufacturing company in the world that provides its service to 6,000 customers and 200 banks from more than 100 countries. UnionPay is planning to supply fingerprint cards in the future through FEITIAN.
While the U.S. and China are seeing biometrics technology as a next-generation technology and are making large investments and forming united fronts, South Korea is not making any progress and has partially adopted Japan’s palm vein authentication technology for its financial industries. As a result, some are concerned that South Korea may fall behind when it comes to standardization of IoT and biometrics authentication and patent battles with other countries.
One thing that needs to be paid attention is why multinational companies are choosing biometrics technology and especially fingerprint authentication technology.
The reason is because they are trying to dominate the global IoT market that is at the center of convergent industries such as AI speaker, smart watch, home appliance, and VR.
For example, Apple already decided to apply touch ID technology to Apple Watch 6 and has been very active in securing patents related to biometrics. Other multinational companies such as Amazon and MS have also been applying for patents and have established a united front with Apple. Google also applied for 30 to 40 patents. MS has introduced fingerprint USB and is looking to connect it to Windows 10 computers.
Experts analyzed that South Korean companies will be beat badly by multinational companies when it comes to standardization of biometrics technology when the global IoT market blossoms. “South Korea also needs to internalize and standardize biometrics authentication technologies that will work within international societies.” said a representative for the security industry. “If not, it will fall behind within new industries such as VR and AR in less than 5 years.”
Staff Reporter Gil, Jaeshik | osolgil@etnews.com