"What If My Face Gets Scanned Without Consent": Understanding Older Adults'Experiences with Biometric Payment

2026-01-18

AI Summary

This study addresses the sense of “loss of control” experienced by older adults when using biometric payment systems, along with their associated concerns about privacy and autonomy. Through semi-structured interviews with 22 Chinese older adults—including both users and non-users—and subsequent thematic analysis, the research uncovers their motivations, apprehensions, and expectations regarding system functionality. To enhance user control and information transparency in password-free transactions, the work proposes a lightweight, context-aware cognitive confirmation mechanism. The findings distill core design requirements and practical recommendations tailored to older adults, offering theoretical insights and actionable guidance for developing secure, trustworthy, and age-inclusive digital payment systems.

Technology Category

• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Social Cognition And Interaction
• Multiagent Systems: Mechanism Design
• Humans and AI: User Experience and Usability

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: User privacy protection in personalized systems
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• Responsible Web: Social and technical mechanisms of refusal for web technologies and applications

Abstract

Biometric payment, i.e., biometric authentication implemented in digital payment systems, can reduce memory demands and streamline payment for older adults. However, older adults'perceptions and practices regarding biometric payment remain underexplored. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 Chinese older adults, including both users and non-users. Participants were motivated to use biometric payment due to convenience and perceived security. However, they also worried about loss of control due to its password-free nature and expressed concerns about biometric data security. Participants also identified desired features for biometric payment, such as lightweight and context-aware cognitive confirmation mechanisms to enhance user control. Based on these findings, we outline recommendations for more controllable and informative digital financial services that better support older adults.

Problem

• biometric payment
• older adults
• privacy
• user control
• biometric data security

Innovation

• biometric payment
• older adults
• user control
• cognitive confirmation
• privacy concerns