PayPal is working on a new generation of embeddable, injectable and ingestible devices that could replace passwords as a means of identification.
Jonathan LeBlanc, PayPal's global head of developer evangelism, claims these devices could include brain implants, wafer-thin silicon chips that can be embedded into the skin, and ingestible devices with batteries that are powered by stomach acid.
These devices would allow "natural body identification", by monitoring internal body functions like heartbeat, glucose levels and vein recognition, LeBlanc told the Wall Street Journal. Over time they would come to replace passwords and even more advanced methods of identification, like fingerprint scanning and location verification, which he says are not always reliable.
"As long as passwords remain the standard methods for identifying your users on the web, people will still continue to use 'letmein' or 'password123' for their secure login, and will continue to be shocked when their accounts become compromised," LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc said PayPal was already working with some partners on developing vein recognition technologies and heartbeat recognition bands, and was also working with developers on prototypes of futuristic ID verification techniques.
