In a groundbreaking move, the UAE is set to become the first country in the Middle East to introduce ‘Palm ID’ technology for payments and cash withdrawals. Soon, residents won’t need credit cards, mobile apps, or traditional payment methods. Instead, a simple palm scan will complete transactions.
This cutting-edge technology is being developed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) and is currently in the final stages of development. It aims to link residents’ palm vein biometrics to their personal profiles, offering a faster, more secure, and seamless experience for accessing services and making payments.
Unveiled at Gitex Global 2024, Palm ID is part of the UAE Vision 2031 initiative. The technology will be available in public and private sectors, allowing residents to pay bills, withdraw cash from ATMs, and even access metro stations by scanning their palms instead of using cards.
Palm ID offers a less intrusive alternative to facial recognition technology, as the unique patterns of each person’s palm veins ensure security and privacy. Registration will be simple—residents can link their biometrics to their Emirates ID or other official documents through the ICP platform.
The UAE is expected to roll out Palm ID once the regulatory framework is completed, marking a new era in smart living and digital innovation.
