Revolut pilots 'Pay with Smile' facial recognition checkout in UK
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Neutral summary
British fintech company Revolut began piloting a facial recognition payment system called 'Pay with Smile' on September 24, 2026, in three London cafés. The system uses a camera at the checkout to compare the customer's face with identity verification data from their account, eliminating the need for a card or phone. Each such payment earns three times the usual RevPoints rewards. The pilot is part of Revolut's effort to help small businesses accept payments more easily. Russian users on social media responded with skepticism, pointing out that Sber launched its 'Pay with a Smile' service in 2023, and that such payments have become commonplace in Russia. Some commentators joked that Western banks are copying technology that has been working in Russia for years. The pilot is limited to a few locations, whereas in Russia the technology is already widely used.
How it was framed
Outlets: 11. Countries: 4. Facts in the shared core: 4.
Publication timeline
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Evening Standard (outlet profile)
‘Pay with smile’ facial recognition store checkout system piloted by Revolut. Customers can use the new technology in a similar way to unlocking a smartphone or app.
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Belfast Telegraph (outlet profile)
‘Pay with smile’ facial recognition store checkout system piloted by Revolut
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The Independent (outlet profile)
‘Pay with smile’ facial recognition store checkout system piloted by Revolut. Customers can use the new technology in a similar way to unlocking a smartphone or app.
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The Mirror (outlet profile)
Shoppers to be able to pay by just using their face for the first time. Online bank Revolut has unveiled new technology called Revolut Pay with Smile option, which allow customers to use just their face to pay for goods…
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The Independent (outlet profile)
Revolut unveils checkout system enabling customers to make purchases with a ‘simple glance’
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TechRadar (outlet profile)
No wallet? No problem - Revolut's new till will let UK customers pay with a smile. Revolut looks to help UK small businesses accept more money with new verification options.
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Frandroid (outlet profile)
Revolut lance Pay with Smile, le paiement par reconnaissance faciale sans carte bancaire ni téléphone. Revolut teste depuis ce jeudi 24 septembre, dans trois cafés londoniens, Pay with Smile, un mode de paiement par rec…
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Engadget (outlet profile)
Revolut is piloting facial recognition at store checkouts in the UK. Revolut is trialing a new facial recognition system in the UK that could be convenient but controversial.
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Медийка (outlet profile)
Revolut запустил оплату улыбкой — а в русскоязычных комментах напомнили, что уже давно пользуются такой технологией. Британский финтех добавил оплату по лицу только сейчас. В России Сбер запустил похожую технологию еще…
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ТОПОР - Горячие новости (outlet profile)
Россияне пришли в комменты к Revolut пояснить за их "революционную" новую фичу. Европейский "необанк" запустил оплату по лицу, а русские сразу напомнили, что в России так платят уже несколько лет. Сбер впервые запустил…
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The Independent (outlet profile)
Major banking app trials pay-by-face to speed customers through checkouts. How to improve a simple shopping checkout experience has been a curiously hard-fought turf war in recent years
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КБ (outlet profile)
Британский Revolut запустил оплату покупок по лицу, на которую откликнулись российские пользователи. Они новинкой не впечатлились и напомнили, что Сбер запустил «Оплату улыбкой» еще в 2023 году. При этом банк запустил т…
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Zлой Пруф (outlet profile)
Евро банк Revolut запустил оплату по лицу и представил ее как новую финтех-функцию. Русские тут же пришли в комментарии и напомнили, что Сбер запустил "Оплату улыбкой" еще в 2023 году. У нас человек уже третий год споко…
Factual core
- Revolut piloted a facial recognition checkout system called 'Pay with smile' in stores.
- Revolut launched face payment technology.
- Russian users commented on Revolut's face payment feature, noting that similar technology has been used in Russia for years.
- Russian users reminded that Sber launched 'Payment by Smile' in 2023.