More than three-quarters POS terminals enabled

Adoption of EMV as the universal payment standard gained further traction in 2011, with official figures revealing that more than 42% of all payment cards and nearly 76% of all terminals in circulation globally are based on EMV technology. These numbers, however, do not reflect the U.S.

The figures have been released by EMVCo, the standards body owned by American Express, JCB, MasterCard and Visa, and represent the latest statistics from their respective member financial institutions globally. 

Oracle has released a new version of Oracle Retail Point-of-Service that aims to increase security, operational efficiency and functionality in part by integrating biometrics.

Oracle partnered with DigitalPersonal to add integrated biometrics to the POS package. Users of the software will login using their fingerprint, which will replace the need for PINs or passwords. This feature intends to reduce fraud by eliminating the possibility of unauthorized employees using a manager ID or swipe card to access the POS and approve overrides. 

PayPal has begun testing new mobile payments software at five Home Depot stores in the U.S., according to American Banker.

PayPal’s system offers an alternative to NFC-based mobile payments solutions like Google Wallet, enabling consumers to make payments directly from their PayPal balance by simply punching in their phone number and PIN. Merchants also have a comparatively easier time adopting the system, as it only requires updated software rather than new point of sale equipment. 

California-based cybercrime prevention solution provider ThreatMetrix has acquired Australian-based TrustDefender, a provider of secure browsing technology designed to stop man-in-the-browser attacks and provide malware protection.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Authentication and access provider DigitalPersona released the results of a survey that found more than half of retailers rely on passwords for point-of-sale system login in, even though they also have great concerns over passwords being shared and misused.

The survey, conducted by NetWorld Alliance, polled more than 1,100 participants in 2011. The results found that more than 90%t of those surveyed ranked fraud prevention of high importance in terms of system sign on. Of those considering changing their login methods, almost 70% are considering implementation of biometric authentication. 

Diversity, accessibility and convenience are the watchwords of transport ticketing in 2012, with the momentum building for bank cards and mobile phones to offer options to traditional transit-issued fare media.

Recent developments in mobile technologies such as mobile banking, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth and electronic wallets will result in more convenient ways for customers to purchase their tickets, and transport operators are watching with interest as the first cities will begin to accept bank cards for fare payment.

Early in 2012, London will be first with open fare payment when it is introduced on the city’s bus networks, allowing passengers to pay with credit, debit and prepaid bank cards. Open payment will be added later on the Tube, DLR, trams and London Overground. Following hot on the heels of London will be the Chicago Transit Authority which recently announced it will have a Cubic-designed open fare payment system by 2014. 

The government of India’s Planning Commission has announced that for electronic transfer of benefits to the rural poor, a unique identification number scheme is a more practical option than issuing smart cards, reports The Telegraph.

The Planning Commission and India’s Home Ministry have competing plans for the Unique Identification Authority of India’s (UIDAI) benefits transfer in the public distribution system. The Home Ministry’s concept uses smart cards that are read with a non-Internet card reader as a way to issue benefits, an idea the Planning Commission says is dependent on the need for having card-reading devices in order to redeem the benefits.