Voice-Based Payments: The Future of Money

With the rapid evolution of voice-related technologies, digital voice assistants are the in thing today, and changing the way we do online activities, including shopping and making transactions.

An increasing number of businesses and individuals are adopting the technology, and a study estimates that the global voice-based payments market size is estimated to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% between the duration of 2022 to 2030.

Businesses are observing a rise in their sales through voice-based digital payment solutions, and another study finds that over 83 million Indians are already using voice shopping, nearly 28% of the total online shoppers. This makes integrating voice-based payments crucial for business strategy.

How Voice-Based Payment Apps Work?

Voice-based payment apps let you make payments using voice recognition technology to identify the user's voice and authorize the payment. This eliminates the need for cards, wallets and even passwords.

To use a voice-based payment app:

• Download/login to the relevant payment app
• Link your bank account information to your preferred mode of payment — UPI, netbanking, debit or credit card etc.
• Secure your account with password or PIN
• Simply click on the microphone icon to enable the voice assistant, tell the app the payment details such as the amount and the name of the receiver
• Confirm the details to complete the transaction. There is no need to enter password or PIN again

Alternatively, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced voice-based UPI or unique payments interface solution, UPI 123Pay, to enable feature phone users to access the payment service. To use the voice-based payments, users simply need to call 6366 200 200, and an Interactive voice response (IVR) helps them complete the requested transaction, such as transferring money or paying merchants. They simply need to validate their transaction through their UPI PIN, making the entire process digitally secure and seamless.

Use Cases

Here are the types of transactions you can make through your voice:

• Peer-to-peer transfers

You can easily make payments or transfer funds to your peers with just your voice. You just need to tap the microphone icon on the app, and say the amount and receiver details on the app; for e.g. "Hey Google, send Rs. 100 to John."
You will be asked to confirm the payment details. Once you have verified the payment process and completed it, the receiver of the transaction gets a notification and can access the funds in their bank account.

• Ecommerce shopping and subsequent payment

The use of voice-based digital payment solutions makes the ecommerce shopping process not only simple but secure. Voice-activated devices and apps help you to complete your transactions and purchases by just saying the words.
You just need to enable voice-activation for payment on the app. Also, your card information is never stored on the device or shared with merchants, and helps you to keep track of your spending.

• Credit card payments

You can conveniently, quickly and easily complete your transactions using voice-based payments process for your credit card payments. All you need to do is simply confirm your credit card information on the app through your voice authentication. This is great, especially if you are always on the move and don't have time to go through your wallet to find your card.

• Utility payments

From mobile bills to rent, making your utility bill payments is easy and secure by simply using your voice. Simply say commands like "Hey Google, please pay my postpaid mobile bill for the month." The app would verify details to authenticate the payment process and it would be completed in no time.

Embracing The Future

• AI integration

The future of payments is voice-based payments, and the future of voice-based payment solutions is enhanced AI integration. This will enable businesses for more complex and personalized interactions with customers, as well as enhanced security features. Particularly, AI-enabled voice recognition would play a key role in reducing risks and preventing fraudulent transactions.

• Bridging digital gap

While the use of voice-based digital payment solutions is yet to increase manifold, many experts believe that the future of payments will be voice-based. With the number of smartphone users reaching 1 billion by 2026, it will help significantly shrink the digital gap between those using digital devices and those unable to.

• Improved security

Voice-based payment solutions are more secure as they verify your identity through your voiceprint, which is unique for everyone. This ensures that only the authorized user makes payments after voice authentication, which significantly reduces the risk of fraud, identity theft or hacking into your account.

• Assured accuracy

Voice-based payments ensure you have entered the right amount and details during the transaction process. When you talk into the device to record your voice, you are prompted to confirm the details and proceed with the transaction. This avoids the error of entering the wrong details.

Conclusion/CTA

Digital voice-assisted payments solutions are the future of fast, simple and secure transactions. With just a few words, you can pay for your purchases without the need to use your wallet or phone. Plus, voice-based payments are not only seamless, but also help reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft.

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