Sberbank, working in tandem with the Unified Biometric System, is pursuing a biometric payment service tailored for age-restricted products. The initiative, reported by RBC and attributed to Oleg Evseev, director of Sberbank’s Biometrics department, marks a clear effort to move beyond traditional identity checks at the point of sale. In practice, the concept envisions using a biometric cue—such as facial recognition or another secure modality—to authorize purchases of goods that come with age verification requirements, potentially simplifying checkout for customers who would otherwise present a passport or a government ID. The shift aims to streamline compliance for retailers while maintaining regulatory safeguards that govern the sale of restricted items. This approach aligns with broader trends in digital identity, where biometric verification is explored as a faster, more convenient, and, when properly designed, secure alternative to document-based authentication. The plan was framed as a forward-looking step in the bank’s broader push to integrate biometric technologies into everyday financial transactions. The project’s early reporting underscores Sberbank’s intention to leverage the UBS network to enable these capabilities across the market.
The department head stressed that the biometric system would eliminate the need to show a passport at the time of purchase for alcohol and tobacco, subject to regulatory clearance. He noted the project is presently at the architectural development stage, with system architecture, data flows, and risk controls under careful design. Upon completion of the design work, authorities responsible for financial and consumer protection would review the proposed technology to ensure it meets legal requirements for identity verification, privacy, data security, and the protection of minors. The stated plan is to obtain formal approval or an official agreement on how the technology would operate in practice, including what biometric data would be captured, how it would be stored, and how access would be audited. The emphasis remains on achieving a balance between smoother customer experiences and rigorous safeguards that prevent misuse or fraud while preserving consumer trust in age-restricted transactions.
A representative from the Center for Biometric Technologies CBT explained that the service operates inside the EBS circuit, signaling a cross-institution capability that could allow customers of any bank to utilize the same biometric verification for relevant purchases. The arrangement would mean that a shopper using biometric verification at one point of sale could be recognized across participating banks and merchants that join the system. This cross-issuer compatibility is designed to unlock a broader network effect, making it easier for retailers to implement biometric age-checks without building separate paths for each lender. The CBT note underscores that the EBS pathway is being designed to ensure interoperability, security, and a seamless user experience, with privacy protections embedded from the outset. In practical terms, this could translate into a situation where a consumer, regardless of their bank, could authorize a purchase by presenting their biometric credential at checkout, subject to the retailer and regulator’s consent. For readers in Canada and the United States, this cross-bank approach would resonate with ongoing initiatives in North American markets where biometrics are being explored by banks and payment networks.
CBT’s representative added that current efforts, in collaboration with NSPK, are focused on shaping the end-to-end client journey and the service architecture. The work covers onboarding, enrollment, consent, and the real-time verification process, ensuring clear visibility for both the consumer and the bank behind the scenes. Looking ahead, these solutions are expected to be presented to retailers and banks for discussion, with the goal of integrating the biometric payment option into existing services and payment ecosystems. This phased approach aims to minimize disruption while expanding capabilities, enabling merchants to experiment with biometric validations alongside traditional identity checks and card-based methods. The overarching objective is to create a shared, scalable framework that can accommodate a growing roster of age-restricted products and possibly other use cases that require quick, reliable identity verification. The strategy hinges on strong governance, robust security controls, and transparent consumer communication about how biometric data is used.
On September 5, Sberbank’s Deputy Chairman Stanislav Kuznetsov pointed to the bank’s track record, noting that there has not been a single verified case of fraud tied to biometric payment methods in the institution’s experience. He claimed that in Russia the technology in question—often described as a “pay by smile” approach—has achieved a leadership position in the global landscape, reflecting the country’s earlier and broader adoption of biometric authentication in financial services. The remarks underscore a confidence in the reliability of the biometric approach when properly implemented, while also reminding readers that no system is immune to risk and that ongoing monitoring and refinement are essential. The emphasis on successful fraud prevention is positioned as a critical competitive edge for the technology, highlighting the perceived maturity of the Russian deployment and its potential to inform international adoption and regulation.
Earlier analyses by legal experts addressed whether Russians could opt out of using biometric verification and what rights consumers might retain in such scenarios. The evolving debate reflects broader concerns about consent, privacy, and the balance between convenience and data protection. While the timeline for any broad rollout remains subject to regulatory decisions, the underlying question remains pertinent for policymakers, retailers, and shoppers alike; if biometric payments become commonplace for age-restricted purchases, how will opt-out provisions be accommodated, and what alternatives will be available to those who prefer not to enroll their biometric data?