Apple in Talks with Major Banks to Launch Apple Pay in UK During First Half of 2015 - MacRumors
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Apple in Talks with Major Banks to Launch Apple Pay in UK During First Half of 2015

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Top banks across the UK are currently negotiating with Apple to launch Apple Pay in the country during the first half of 2015, reports The Telegraph. Sources close to the matter note that the major banks have cited privacy concerns over the personal and financial information of users, but admit that they are positive about the impact the service has had in the United States.

It is understood the bank is uncomfortable with the amount of personal and financial information Apple wants to collect about its customers. Some executives fear Apple Pay and the data it delivers to Apple could serve as a beachhead for an invasion of the banking industry.

Sources accepted no major bank will want to miss out on Apple Pay, however, as early signs from the United States suggest it may be the service to finally convince consumers to pay with mobile phones.

applepay
The news comes after Apple posted a job listing for an "Apple Pay Intern" earlier this month, which revealed that the company is "working hard" to expand its payment service across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa. Visa also said in September that it would be working with Apple to roll out Apple Pay across Europe in 2015, and e-commerce giant Alibaba has also been in talks with Apple over a potential partnership that would bring the service to China.

Apple Pay has seen impressive early adoption numbers since first launching in October, with ITG noting that the service accounted for 1% of all digital payment dollars in November. Apple Pay has seen adoption at a number of popular retailers and restaurants in the United States, including Macy's, Subway, Walgreens, McDonalds, Whole Foods, Nike, and more.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
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Top Rated Comments

T
TC03
153 months ago
It is understood the bank is uncomfortable with the amount of personal and financial information Apple wants to collect about its customers. Some executives fear Apple Pay and the data it delivers to Apple could serve as a beachhead for an invasion of the banking industry.
So what data are we talking about? Didn't Tim Cook explicitely state that Apple Pay works because Apple doesn't collect data about its customers?

Let's have a look to what Apple has to say (http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203027):

Apple Pay is also designed to protect your personal information. Apple Pay doesn't collect any transaction information that can be tied back to you. Payment transactions are between you, the merchant, and your bank.
So what data collection are we talking about?

I hate it when people say stuff regarding data mining without making it explicit what they are talking about. This is the reason why 99% of the global population thinks Google and Apple sell your data. Making people aware of privacy and technology starts with accurate and informed reporting.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
andy845
153 months ago
Still no iTunes Radio in the UK so I'll believe this when I see it...
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gaspode67 Avatar
Gaspode67
153 months ago
Understanding the British Press.....

I tend to bow out of threads when people start with the 'Daily Mail' Cliche.

It's become a Godwins Law of its own.


But back on topic, In theory it should be easier to get up and running in the UK, fewer banks, an extensive, established NFC network, etc.

The £20 limit should go for fingerprint authenticated purchases, and indeed would need to, it would be embarrassing not to be able to use Apple Pay in an Apple Store, where few things cost less than the £20 limit!
It pays to have an understanding of what each newspaper panders to. In the words of Jim Hacker:



Sir Humphrey: The only way to understand the Press is to remember that they pander to their readers' prejudices.

Jim Hacker: Don't tell me about the Press. I know *exactly* who reads the papers.
The Daily Mirror is read by the people who think they run the country.
The Guardian is read by people who think they *ought* to run the country.
The Times is read by the people who actually *do* run the country.
The Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country.
The Financial Times is read by people who *own* the country.
The Morning Star is read by people who think the country ought to be run by *another* country.
The Daily Telegraph is read by the people who think it already is.

Sir Humphrey: Prime Minister, what about the people who read The Sun?

Bernard Woolley: Sun readers don't care *who* runs the country - as long as she's got big t**s.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sandstorm Avatar
Sandstorm
153 months ago
Why so slow, even in the UK? The rest of the world, especially smaller countries, probably can forget about :apple:Pay for any foreseeable future :(
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sraworld Avatar
sraworld
153 months ago
UK Banks

Had the UK banking sector been on their toes, one would have grasped Apple Pay and got first-mover advantage. Many people would have moved to that bank. It is the way to go and will change banking and transactions forever. Procrastination again from a bunch of old-world thinkers. Get on with it!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Upgrader Avatar
Upgrader
153 months ago
There's a reason why that rag is called The Daily Fail

Yes, the reason being is that they're pure scum, along with all the other lie factories: The Sun, The Star, The People, The Express, The Sun on Sunday, The Times, Telegraph - neoliberal piss barrels.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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