Tech giant Google is rolling out “Pay & Verify”, a new AI-powered checkout tool designed to streamline the e-commerce experience by verifying user identity and payment details in real time—without requiring manual input or additional apps.
The feature is currently in closed beta with select merchants in the U.S. and Canada. By leveraging machine learning models—and user-permitted biometric or behavioral signals—Google can confirm identity and billing information instantly, reducing checkout steps and friction. Merchants participating in the pilot report up to 30% fewer payment declines and 15% faster checkout completions, according to internal metrics .
Built on top of Google Pay’s infrastructure, “Pay & Verify” adheres to PCI DSS standards and includes layered authentication tiers. Transaction amounts below $50 may only prompt biometrics from phones (e.g., fingerprint/face) or behavioral pattern checks, while higher-value purchases require two-factor verification such as SMS or payment passcodes .
Senior Product Director at Google, Alex Chen, says the goal is to “create a seamless but secure experience that mimics in-store convenience,” noting that lower friction is vital to helping merchants reduce cart abandonment—typically hovering at 70% in retail .
Consumer privacy advocates welcome the feature’s user-consent model but caution that biometric data policies must stay transparent and ethically managed. Google is reportedly limiting data retention and encrypting behavior signals to alleviate concerns .
📌 Why It Matters:
- Blurs the line between fintech and e-commerce
- Could set new standard for frictionless, secure online payments
- Raises important questions around balancing convenience with privacy
