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Barclays voice recognition to kill telephone banking passwords
Barclays is introducing voice recognition for users of its telephone banking service in a move that could abolish passwords.
The bank is using a system of voice biometrics, already used by customers in its high net worth banking arm, which it will roll out to 12m retail customers next year.
The system works by storing a recording of the customer’s voiceprint, which can then be used to identify them in just 10 seconds.
From next year customers will have a brief conversation with a customer service agent, during which time their voice biometrics are checked, before they login to their banking. The bank says it will reduce fraud and increase security.