Four Japanese firms will jointly develop a payment system using facial recognition technology that will allow customers to make deposits and withdrawals at banks and shop at stores without presenting anything if they register their facial images in advance.
While the registration of facial images would require the consent of customers, many people may hesitate to provide their image data due to privacy concerns. How to ensure the security of the planned system will be key to its widespread use.
The four companies plan to develop a system under which facial image data will be stored on a server that cannot be accessed from the outside. Resona will manage the system.
“Many of the challenges we face today – from conflicts to climate chaos and the cost-of-living crisis – are the result of what is a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture, taking the key decisions that guide our world,”
“Policymakers must create - and in some circumstances must reinforce to create - transformative change by promoting women and girls’ equal rights and opportunities to learn; by dismantling barriers and smashing glass ceilings,” he said.
The digital divide and the "glass ceiling" both exacerbate gender inequality and prevent women from achieving their full potential. A diversified strategy may be needed to address these problems, including policy changes to advance gender equality, financial support for education and training, and initiatives (transformative change) to overcome prejudice and stereotypes that support gender inequality.