Amazon is rolling out palm scanning technology for office workers

Amazon is expanding its palm scanning technology beyond grocery stores and rolling out a version designed for the business world.

Amazon One Enterprise repackages the company’s palm-based payment system as an authentication tool that allows company employees to swipe their hand to enter an office or access sensitive information such as financial data or human resources records.

Companies that have already signed up to biometric technology include IHG Hotels & Resorts, revolving door manufacturer Boon Edam, and Kone, a company that provides escalators and elevators. Amazon did not reveal prices for the service, which is available for preview in the United States starting Monday.

Amazon offers the service as a cheaper and more secure solution for organizations compared to traditional security and authentication tools such as fobs, badges or passwords.

“Companies value privacy and convenience for their users, who can access physical locations and software assets with just the swipe of their palm,” Dilip Kumar, a vice president who oversees Amazon Web Services applications, said in a statement.

Amazon first launched its biometric payment system in 2020. The technology was originally designed as a way for shoppers to pay for purchases by swiping their hand. It has been deployed in Whole Foods grocery stores, some Go stores and several Fresh supermarkets. Sports and entertainment venues have also adopted the technology, as have some Panera Bread restaurants and a few Starbucks locations.

Advocacy groups I criticized the service On privacy and security concerns, arguing that it leads to increased surveillance. Amazon says palm recognition is more private than other biometric systems “because you can’t identify a person by looking at an image of their palm.” Company He also claims It does not capture purchase data from scans collected by non-Amazon stores.

By reimagining Amazon One for enterprises, the company is following a playbook that has been adopted elsewhere. Earlier this month, Amazon debuted Astro for Business, a version of its home robot that’s framed as a roving security guard for businesses.

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