The Newshound

Revolut launches UK's first pay-by-face checkout system but privacy campaigners warn your face is 'irreplaceable'

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026 · last updated 25 September 2026.

Revolut's facial recognition checkout at a London cafe, where merchants pay zero processing fees on Pay with Smile transactions during the pilot.
Revolut's facial recognition checkout at a London cafe, where merchants pay zero processing fees on Pay with Smile transactions during the pilot.

Revolut has begun trialling the UK's first in-store facial recognition payment system at three Kiss the Hippo café locations in Bloomsbury, Chelsea and Soho, running until September 26. Customers who opt in can pay simply by glancing at a checkout terminal, with no phone, card or cash needed. Privacy group Big Brother Watch has warned that lost face scans can be used to produce deepfakes, including sexualised images.

Revolut says facial data is encrypted end-to-end and merchants store none of it — but opt-in is required before use.

Big Brother Watch's Jack Coulson warned: 'You can get a new passport, but your face is irreplaceable.'

Revolut is offering coffees for £1 to tempt customers into trying the technology during the three-day pilot.

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