Tag: MasterCard

MasterCard partners with other companies to improve the security of mobile payments

| February 26, 2016

MasterCard announces partnership with Coin and WiseKey

MasterCard has become heavily involved in the mobile payments space and the company is looking to make this sector more secure than it has ever been. MasterCard has announced that it has partnered with Coin and WiseKey. The partnership with Coin may be unexpected, as the company has encountered trouble with financial institutions in the past in regards to its smart card, which emulated credit and debit cards. Despite this, however, MasterCard believes that its new partnerships will improve the security of mobile commerce.

Partnership aims to launch new system to ensure the security of mobile commerce

Through the partnership, a new developer program will be launched, providing access to an application program interface (API) to efficiently handle mobile transactions made through wearable devices as well as smartphones and tablets. MasterCard and Coin will work together to find ways to efficiently provide digitized card information that merchants can use to authenticate purchases. This is intended to track digital purchases for security purposes, allowing MasterCard and other companies to effectively crack down on fraud.

Wearable devices will have a role to play in the digital commerce space and MasterCard wants these devices to be safe

Mobile Security PartnershipThe partnership with WiseKey, a company that specializes in security, focuses specifically on wearable devices. These devices have yet to become mainstream, but the launch of products like Apple Watch have highlighted how they can be used to make mobile payments. MasterCard and WiseKey want to ensure that the transactions made through these devices is secure, which may improve their popularity among consumers that want to use these devices to pay for products in physical stores.

Security continues to be a main priority for those involved in mobile commerce

Security has long been a major issue in the mobile commerce space. Many consumers have avoided making mobile transactions because of security concerns, believing that their sensitive information would be put at risk. Several companies have begun improving the security of the mobile commerce space in order to increase confidence among consumers. MasterCard, as well as other financial organizations, have made significant progress in this regard over the past few years.

MasterCard to launch selfie system for mobile payments

| February 25, 2016

MasterCard is bringing its Selfie Pay system to the UK

MasterCard has announced plans to invest in facial recognition technology more aggressively in the coming years. This announcement comes as MasterCard attempts to reduce the number of false transactions that occur within the mobile space, as well as improving the security of mobile payments overall. The company has been testing its new “Selfie Pay” system in the United States and the Netherlands and will soon bring the service to the United Kingdom, though consumers will have to pay to use it.

Selfie Pay will allow people to use their pictures as a way to verify a mobile transaction

Those using the Selfie Pay system can opt to scan a picture of their face to verify mobile transactions. This picture will be stored online on MasterCard’s servers. The picture will serve as a reference for when consumers want to use facial recognition to authenticate a transaction. Because this information is difficult to tamper with, MasterCard believes that facial recognition technology could be an adequate way to protect consumer information in the mobile commerce space.

Mobile security remains a top priority for MasterCard

MasterCard has been fighting to improve mobile security for some time. The company believes that new identification systems are needed to minimize the number of fraudulent transactions being made in the mobile space. False declines are also a problem, with MasterCard noting that the value of false declines per year has reached $118 billion. This is 13 times higher than the amount lost through credit card fraud every year.

Selfie Pay system is coming to 14 countries later this year

MasterCard is preparing to launch its Selfie Pay system in 14 countries later in the year. The company notes that those testing the system have responded positively, saying that it is both easy to use and does not affect the convenience of mobile payments. With more secure systems in place, more consumers are likely to participate in the mobile commerce space. Security has been a major concern for consumers in recent years, especially as mobile commerce systems have become more prominent and attractive targets.