By silicon.com, 11 August 2004 16:30
Chip and PIN has received a fair share of controversy.
There has been much debate over the security of providing a PIN versus a signature as a form of identification when making purchases with a credit or debit card.
Many have questioned whether it will be effective in cutting down on credit card fraud, which is the intended aim of the programme.
There has also been criticism of why it's being done - is it really to cut down on fraud or just a way for banks to put the liability solely onto merchants and consumers?
Though interesting points all, in the UK, this sort of discussion is now largely beside the point.
The decision has been made to adopt the technology and the deadline for implementation in shops and restaurants is less than five months away.
The discussion must move forward. Despite any inherent risks that some might believe the system holds, we must now hold forth on how to make it work as best it can.
To this end, consultants are calling for better education of consumers by banks and retailers, and the UK's Chip and PIN organisation has undertaken a campaign to help people memorise PINs, including publishing a guide with tips on its website.
Whether we like it or not, this is going to happen. It is already happening - many people have already received their chip-and-PIN cards and many shops are set up with the technology.
Expect to hear a lot about chip and PIN this autumn and, if you live in the UK, get ready to use it.
Comments
There are 5 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
Woa! Hold on a minute! Last time I travelled in the European chip-n-pin Union, my card and signature were perfectly acceptable along side the "new" technology. Surely the banks won't artificially remove this option. Would they?
2. Andy Piesse
I think you will find that most places won't accept a signature except with the cards issued specifically for signature. The reason is that once implemented the retailer will become responsible for any loss incurred if they accept a chip n pin card plus signature and don't use the pin box.
3. Michael Dixon
Right, so all we need to do is to refuse to use the currently issued cheap PIN keypads without proper guards?
Why (oh why) do they use them with a hood, like the old foot X-ray machines? Private and safe, save for the cunningly installed mini-camera?
4. anonymous
Having spent 10 years on the continent where chip and pin has been the norm for two decades, I fail to see what the problem is. I am however very unhappy with the poor quality and sighting of the terminals that permits others to view ones pin as it is entered. Why have we not taken the advise of other who have used this technology for years?
5. Julian Smith
I think the main impact will be on the number of cards people use/carry. Most of us can only remember 2-3 PIN's thus we will all cut down on the cards we use to the detriment of the card issuers