EMV protocol is primarily designed to secure what types of transactions?

The EMV protocol is primarily designed to secure in-person transactions. EMV, which stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa, provides a set of standards for chip-based payment cards and acceptance devices. The technology incorporated in EMV cards generates a unique transaction code for each transaction, making it significantly more difficult for fraudsters to use stolen card information at physical points of sale.

In-person transactions, also known as face-to-face transactions, involve the physical interaction between a cardholder and a merchant, making the implementation of EMV technology critical for enhancing security during these exchanges. The use of chip cards with EMV technology has been a key development in combating card-present fraud as it ensures that each transaction is authenticated, reducing the potential for counterfeit card usage.

Although EMV can also be adapted for mobile payments and has a role in online transactions, its primary design focus is on securing in-person transactions at brick-and-mortar locations, aligning with its original purpose to enhance the security of card payments in physical settings.