Tag: mobile payments news

Security concerns continue to plague the mobile payments space

| March 10, 2016

GfK report highlights worries over the security of new payment services

Security is still a major concern for consumers that are interested in mobile payments. While mobile transactions account for only a small portion of commerce overall, they are becoming more popular among consumers throughout the world. While this popularity is growing, consumers are still concerned how new payment platforms will protect their financial information. According to a new report from GfK, a prominent market research firm, these security concerns could slow the adoption of mobile commerce among consumers.

Few consumers are comfortable with the security offered by mobile commerce platforms

According to the report from GfK, mobile payments only account for 3% of all transactions being made in the United States. The majority of consumers prefer to use their debit cards to pay for goods and services. Not only are consumers more comfortable with conventional payment solutions, they also believe that mobile payments services are not secure enough. Approximately 52% of consumers believe that new payment services are not able to keep their personal information secure. Only 16% believe that mobile commerce services are more secure that more conventional forms of payment.

More companies are working to improve the security of mobile payments services

Mobile Payments SecuritySecurity concerns are nothing new for the mobile commerce industry. Over the past several years, consumers have expressed their worry that new payment services were simply not able to protect their information. The companies responsible for these services have been working to make them more secure, with many now making use of biometric technology. This technology leverages biological information to protect payment services. Consumers can protect their information with something as simple as a fingerprint, which has done much to secure confidence in mobile commerce among consumers.

Younger consumers are less concerned about security and privacy issues

Notably, younger consumers, those between the ages of 18 and 24, are less concerned about security and privacy issues. Approximately 33% of these consumers say they are completely confident in the security of mobile payments services. They believe that new payment services are not only secure, but also very convenient and allow them to shop and purchase products no matter where they may be without having to rely on traditional forms of commerce.

Square breaks into the Australian mobile payments market

| March 9, 2016

Square is coming to Australia

Square, a prominent mobile payments firm, has expanded into the Australian market. The company has made its payment service available in the United States, Canada, and Japan, where it has found significant success in the past. While considered successful, Square has been experiencing some turbulence in recent months, largely due to falling stock prospects and growing competition in the mobile commerce space. The growing demand for new payment services in Australia may secure a brighter future for Square if it manages to effectively connect with consumers.

Company has managed to find success by expanding access to mobile commerce among consumers

Square launched in 2009, receiving strong support from several technology companies and organizations interested in mobile payments. The company had developed an accessory for mobile devices that allowed iOS and Android devices to make mobile transactions, even if they were not equipped with NFC technology. This accessory earned Square early popularity among consumers and put the company in direct competition with others that had developed similar accessories for mobile devices.

Square will be offering different products in Australia than it does in the US

Australia - Mobile PaymentsIn Australia, Square will be selling its mobile card reader for $19. Merchants using Square’s mobile payments services will be charged 1.9% per transaction being made. This is somewhat different from what Square offers in the United States, where its mobile card reader is free, but merchants can purchase a full-sized point-of-sale system for $99. In the U.S., merchants are charged 2.75% per mobile transaction being made. Square has not yet announced plans to launch its new contactless payment reader in Australia, but may choose to do so in the future.

Company to compete with Apple in the Australian payments market

Australia is becoming a competitive mobile payments market, with several companies bringing their new payment platforms to the country. Recently, Apple released its payment service in Australia, which Square is set to compete with. Square may find a place in the market among small and medium sized retailers who want to engage mobile consumers more effectively, thereby securing a degree of success in Australia.