Google Wallet now requires PIN or biometrics to make payments

google wallet Users have reported on social media that it has started requiring the mobile phone to be unlocked to make any payments. Previously, in some countries, the app allowed the transfer of small amounts by contacting the locked device.

The change was announced by Google in mid-February this year. “Soon, your credit and debit cards will only be charged for retail payments if you have recently used an authentication method such as a fingerprint or PIN,” the company said.

In the notification, the company reports that some users already need to verify their identity to make payments, regardless of the amount. According to 9to5GoogleIn some countries, Google Wallet allowed you to make small payments without unlocking your mobile phone’s screen.

For example, in France, the user can transfer up to 30 Euros without showing a password or PIN. Since the arrival of the service in Brazil, it is necessary to unlock your mobile phone to pay outside public transport.

More security for everyday life

The verification step for payments slows down the process a bit, but it’s an important security add-on. This measure prevents a stolen mobile phone from being used for payment purposes or criminals taking advantage of this vulnerability to carry out secret thefts using machines with proximity support.

Changes like this are automatically applied to all users with the latest version of the app, so the user doesn’t have to do anything to get the feature.