Apple Touch ID Soon to Make ATM Transactions More Secure in the US, Africa to Follow Suit?

As humanity thrusts forward in the digital age, we find ourselves enveloped in a flurry of transformative technologies creating our much-anticipated future. Ranging from the simulated realms of virtual reality to the intelligence of our artificially coded counterparts, we are constantly walking towards a future heralding unprecedented automation. One sector poised to embrace this sophisticated touch of automation is the financial industry, from the advancements in user authentication to ingenious modes of payment execution. This trend is amplified by leading tech giants, including Apple and Android, unrolling innovative payment solutions to ride on the wave of their enormous user base.

But what about the way we use ATMs? Is it possible that this interaction might also be on the cusp of a revolutionary change?

Envisage a world where you saunter over to an ATM and perform transactions using the secure features on your smartphone, with no need for a bank card. This is the reality that FIS and Payment Alliance International (PAI) aspire to bring to life with a notable announcement to kickstart this technology in 70,000 ATMs throughout the United States. As the wheel of progress turns, there is anticipation that this novel technology will ripple out to other countries, perhaps even the African continent, riding on the impressive rise in smartphone usage; a number expected to rocket to over 370 million by 2017.

Mr Jabbour, the chief operating officer of Banking & Payments at FIS, optimistically commented on this partnership: “Our partnership with PAI extends FIS’ leadership to the largest Cardless Cash ecosystem, and will benefit both banks and their customers,” adding that the widespread network should facilitate customer adoption.

A point worth noting is that this is not the first of such breakthroughs. Earlier in February, MasterCard unveiled plans to utilize ‘selfies’ and fingerprints for authentication, signaling a farewell to conventional passwords. Similarly, Bank of America announced its customers can withdraw cash from compatibly equipped ATMs using Apple Pay.

The advent of such technology comes as a huge relief for many. Past experiences of misplaced cards resulting in fraudulent transactions will soon become a thing of the past. With a smartphone in hand and a Touch ID at your disposal, it’s much more difficult to forget or lose your ‘virtual’ card at an ATM.

Thus, the advent of Apple Pay and other top payment platforms in Africa may not be as far off as one might envision considering the anticipated surge in smartphone use. And since most African nations import their cash machines from technologically advanced countries like the US, we might behold this convenience sooner than thought. As ever, only time has the final say as we patiently wait to experience a new era in financial transactions.

This article was updated in 2025 to reflect modern realities. .