Author: JT

Mobile payments security may bring Visa and Apple together

| August 6, 2014

Security is becoming a major issue for the mobile shopping spectrum

Security is currently one of the greatest challenges facing mobile payments adoption. Many payment platforms have lackluster security features that could leave a consumer’s financial information exposed for exploitation. This has made many people somewhat leery of the mobile shopping and payments space, unwilling to use their mobile devices to purchase products online. Visa is working to solve this problem, however, and has recently announced new products that could improve security in the mobile space and make people more comfortable with paying for products from their mobile devices.

Visa is taking security seriously, introducing a new suite designed to keep mobile transactions secure

Visa recently announced its Visa Digital Solutions, which is a comprehensive software suite that is designed specifically for making mobile payments secure. The suite is meant to provide a set of standards, tools, and services to those wishing to accommodate mobile spenders, enabling retailers and smartphone makers to connect with Visa’s payment infrastructure quickly and efficiently. The solution is designed with security in mind, and that may be a good thing for companies like Apple.

Apple is in need of a security solution that can solidify its place in the mobile payments field

Mobile Payments Security - Apple and VisaApple has a strong interest in mobile payments, but the company has been very slow to introduce its own payment platform. This is largely due to the security concerns that Apple has, having seen other companies launch payment platforms that have been subject to digital attacks. Apple has been looking into developing its own security systems that can protect mobile transactions, but Visa’s new solution could encourage a partnership between the two companies.

Apple and Visa have not yet announced any plans to work together in mobile transactions

Apple has teamed with other companies to address the security issue in the past. These partnerships have lead to the development of security solutions that may make mobile payments more attractive to consumers. A partnership between Apple and Visa may yield yet more protections for consumers interested in shopping online with a mobile device. Such a partnership has not been announced, however.

Snapchat attracts interest of mobile commerce giant

| August 4, 2014

Alibaba is showing strong interest in acquiring Snapchat

Alibaba, China’s largest e-commerce organization, may be looking to invest in photo messaging application Snapchat. The app has become widely popular, used heavily by those that want to share pictures and short videos with the people they care about. Alibaba is reportedly in talks with Snapchat regarding financing, which could value the application at $10 billion. Why Alibaba is showing interest in Snapchat is something of a surprise considering the company’s focus on commerce, but Alibaba has been growing increasingly mobile-centric over the past year.

Snapchat is resilient to the attractive offers produced by companies like Facebook

Snapchat has yet to show any interest in the acquisition proposals offered by other companies. Facebook recently offered to purchase Snapchat for $3 billion, an offer that was rebuked by CEO Evan Spiegel. Though Snapchat may not be looking to be acquired by a larger company, that does not mean these companies will stop trying to buy it. Alibaba has considerable financial clout, and the offer that the company makes to Snapchat could change the mind of Spiegel.

Alibaba could use Snapchat to compete with Tencent in the social space

Alibaba - Mobile CommerceAlibaba has an interest in mobile applications like Snapchat because its primary rival in China, Tencent, currently holds dominance in the social and gaming fields. Tencent’s WeChat application is one of the most widely used in the world, and the company has recently introduced mobile commerce services to the platform. Alibaba has missed out on the mobile messaging craze, focusing instead on e-commerce. Now, however, Alibaba may be looking into engaging in the mobile messaging space, and Snapchat may be the best tool through which to do so.

WeChat proves that a social application can become an effective mobile commerce tool

Snapchat does not support mobile payments in any way, but that could change in the future. The WeChat application had been nothing more than a messaging platform until very recently. The application can now be used to purchase products from certain retailers and order taxi services in some cities in China.