Paypal Rolls Out Photo Verification Trial In UK

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Paypal Rolls Out Photo Verification Trial In UK

Posted by samzenpus on Thursday August 8, 2013 @09:25PM from the your-real-money-is-no-good-here dept.

kdryer39 writes "Retailers in Richmond upon Thames are among the first to allow shoppers to leave their wallets at home and pay for items using just the PayPal app and their profile picture. The app for iOS, Windows OS and Android phones highlights nearby shops and restaurants that accept PayPal before the customer checks in by clicking on the required retailer and sliding an animated pin down on their screen. At present, only 12 merchants are using the system but it expects more than 2,000 locations will have the ability to use the app by the end of 2013."

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wallet by Tom · 2013-08-08 21:31 · Score: 4, Insightful

At present, only 12 merchants are using the system
Which makes the "leave wallet at home" statement pure hyperbole.

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Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
1. Re:wallet by Dupple · 2013-08-08 21:33 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  It'll be interesting how this works out. Normally when I'm in Richmond, I'm off my face and can't find my wallet
  
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  Watch those corners
2. Re:wallet by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 21:46 · Score: 0
  
  Richmond Upon Thames is where Paypal and eBay's UK head office are.
3. Re:wallet by MrNemesis · 2013-08-09 00:09 · Score: 1
  
  Normally when I'm in Richmond, I'm off my face and can't find my wallet
  
  Richmond Upon Thames is where Paypal and eBay's UK head office are.
  Mod AC redundant, I think they're confused. Dupple is clearly the UK president of PayPal and eBay :)
  
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4. Re:wallet by Dogers · 2013-08-09 08:15 · Score: 1
  
  VISA & co haven't even gotten the stupid contactless stuff everywhere yet - how on earth does PayPal expect to break in?
  
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5. Re:wallet by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 08:38 · Score: 0
  
  Presumably because the paypal stuff works with commodity hardware, while contactless payments needs special radio transmitters and so on. This is not to say I think either is a good idea. Cash please.
fuck paypal by ionix5891 · 2013-08-08 21:33 · Score: 5, Insightful

They close accounts without providing reasons nor being able to get in contact with a human
this is not "news for nerds" this is a "this marketing message has been brought to you by the Paypal PR department"
1. Re:fuck paypal by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 22:28 · Score: 0
  
  You give a try at OKPay and help em grow and stand in front of Paypal,
  Because I totally agree, Paypal does suck and they act like criminals with their sellers and buyers. From someone who used to create shoppingcart for merchant so they can support Paypal on their sites, I can tell you they can go to hell nowdays (Paypal that is). I'd prefer lose a small contract than put someone I know and stuck em with Paypal...
  Hold money with no justifiable reason, create stupid chargeback for stupid users, and the fee are a real pain in the ass, untolerable and unresponsive (aka. you only get flowchart answers.) from customer support, etc etc etc.
  Again, since we are talking about UK, why wouldn't you make an article on OKPay instead, which is way better than Paypal in my own opinion.
2. Re:fuck paypal by AmiMoJo · 2013-08-08 23:06 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  It's interesting because they need your profile picture on file. PayPal are getting all wet at the thought of having every customer's face in their database, to help them harass unfortunate victims of fraud. It gives them a legitimate reason to store that information, which would otherwise be illegal in most European countries.
  
  --
  const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
  SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
3. Re:fuck paypal by Seumas · 2013-08-08 23:08 · Score: 1
  
  This is an interesting idea from the wrong company.
4. Re:fuck paypal by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 23:24 · Score: 0
  
  PayPal requires a government issued photo ID for all but the most trivial uses. They already have photos from many customers - it's not only legal, it's required by anti-money laundering legislation.
  I have no idea why anybody would mess with an abusive online behemoth who wants to extend offline, when they probably have a wide range of banks to chose from in a free market. Pay using my face ? That sounds gimmicky and insecure.
  What we need to do is shatter the credit card industry oligopoly and PayPal is in no way a solution, they use the same Visa/Mastercard/Amex networks as everybody else. If there's a place for government regulation is this: define a standard for the payment network and force every entrant to inter-operate. It's fucking ridiculous to have 5+ POS devices at every desk, each bank protecting it's little walled garden. The inefficiency is covered by our own pockets.
5. Re:fuck paypal by MrNemesis · 2013-08-08 23:27 · Score: 1
  
  I was about to reply with a post about "...but here in the EU (unlike the US IIRC), PayPal *is* classified as a bank and therefore has to comply with much stricter legistlation than they appear to have to do in the US".
  But in looking for a citation I found these:
  http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?391236-Paypal-freezing-closing-accounts
  http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?235225-Paypal-claim-and-the-small-claims-court...
  http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2198081&page=1
  Glad to see my initial "PayPal are an utter shower of bastards" estimation all those years ago still seems to be true.
  
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6. Re:fuck paypal by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 00:08 · Score: 0
  
  Pseudo-banks such as okpay tends to close for various reasons, usually not giving back any money. Fethard, cg-pay, egold, liberty reserve, epassporte - just to name a few.
7. Re:fuck paypal by Tom · 2013-08-09 00:13 · Score: 2
  
  They are, however, BBB accredited and have an excellent rating:
  http://www.bbb.org/sanjose/business-reviews/payment-processing-service/paypal-in-san-jose-ca-210387
  Compare that to, say, Steam's mother Valve:
  https://www.bbb.org/western-washington/business-reviews/computer-software-publishers-and-developers/valve-corporation-in-bellevue-wa-27030704
  which gets a straight F for pretty much the same reasons you claim for PayPal. I'm not a friend of PayPal and would move elsewhere if that were a serious option, but they have worked well for me for about 8 years now. Maybe because I understand that they're not a bank and never have more than a few hundred bucks in my account.
  
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  Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
8. Re:fuck paypal by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 00:34 · Score: 0
  
  I'm not a friend of PayPal and would move elsewhere if that were a serious option,
  That alone is enough to make me hate PayPal. I hate being forced into an intermediary service (your BattleMaster is one of such recipients, I'd prefer to not use PayPal for payments). I understand that there are no serious alternatives, but that does not make me like PayPal.
  
  but they have worked well for me for about 8 years now. Maybe because I understand that they're not a bank and never have more than a few hundred bucks in my account.
  So... survival of the fittest? People who were ripped off -- it's their own fault?
9. Re:fuck paypal by augustw · 2013-08-09 00:53 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  PayPal requires a government issued photo ID for all but the most trivial uses.
  In the UK (where this trial is taking place) PayPal doesn't "require a government issued photo ID" for any purpose. It's not required by UK anti-money laundering legislation. And there is no "government issued photo ID" in the UK.. And no, we don't use our driving licences for this purpose. And no, we aren't required to carry our driving licences when we're driving.
10. Re:fuck paypal by Inda · 2013-08-09 01:49 · Score: 1
  
  I don't even have a photo on my UK driving licence.
  
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11. Re:fuck paypal by Presto+Vivace · 2013-08-09 04:27 · Score: 1
  
  As a professional flack, I have massive respect for the PayPal flack who got this on the front page of Slashdot, I would not even have tried. There is a reason for sites like PayPalSucks. Speaking only for myself, my personal experience with PayPal has been HORRIBLE. Currently, I use We Pay and thus far have not had any issues. Speaking ONLY for myself.
12. Re:fuck paypal by cayenne8 · 2013-08-09 05:18 · Score: 1
  
  I'm still pretty comfortable just using cash. Untraceable, easy, no ID required.
  Online, sure I pay with CC or even PP at times, but for meatspace transactions, I try to do cash as much as possible.
  If for nothing else, when I take out $200-$300 a week for pocket money, I have a better idea of how much I'm spending each week. It isn't abstract like CC's and online payments are....
  
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13. Re:fuck paypal by Zemran · 2013-08-09 09:26 · Score: 1
  
  Ditto
  I was once asked for my driving license at the check out in a Californian supermarket and the girl was really upset that it did not have a photo yet she did not want to see my passport which has a photo. She called the manager who looked at me (I am an old fart) and he just told her to get on with it. Weird country.
  
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14. Re:fuck paypal by radarskiy · 2013-08-09 09:42 · Score: 1
  
  But at least they aren't subject to banking regulation! That has to count for something, right?
15. Re:fuck paypal by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 10:55 · Score: 0
  
  The funniest thing to me was that you (as a self proclaimed old fart) were asked for photo ID?!? Unless you were buying fire arms or something?
16. Re:fuck paypal by manu0601 · 2013-08-09 13:52 · Score: 1
  
  It gives them a legitimate reason to store [the customer's face], which would otherwise be illegal in most European countries.
  It does not have to be illegal. As I understand the spirit of privacy laws that exist in EU, if (1) there is a legitimate reason, (2) user is made ware, and (3) you do not retain it after you do not need it anymore (the customer ceased to use the service), then it should be fine.
17. Re:fuck paypal by Tom · 2013-08-12 03:28 · Score: 1
  
  your BattleMaster is one of such recipients, I'd prefer to not use PayPal for payments
  I offer direct bank transfers as an alternative, I just don't advertise it much because it is a ton more work for me and, quite frankly, people donating two or three Euros per bank transfer cost me more money in time and effort than I get.
  I would love for the banking industry to set up a PayPal-like system where you can transfer money to my bank account world-wide at low fees and I can plug in a backend to process your transfer in whatever way I need to. I would use it immediately.
  
  People who were ripped off -- it's their own fault?
  Didn't say that. If you go into the dirty part of town with a bulging wallet, it is still the robber who is the criminal - and still most people will agree that your risk management strategy was not exactly perfect. That doesn't make the robbery your fault - but it does make the quantity of the damage partially your fault, because a more reasonable approach would have reduced the damage.
  I feel for everyone who got their accounts locked, and I don't think it is ok. I alsol think it is stupid to leave tens of thousands of $ in a PayPal account.
  
  --
  Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
Missing info by wonkey_monkey · 2013-08-08 21:41 · Score: 3, Informative

The information that actually goes with the headline, but was left out of TFS:

The customer's name and photo then appears on the shop's payment system and the retailer charges them by clicking on their image.

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1. Re:Missing info by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 22:38 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  So my twin brother can take all my money now?
2. Re:Missing info by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 00:09 · Score: 0
  
  So my twin brother can take all my money now?
  Yes, but if you have a bad allergic reaction, you won't be able to access your money at all.
3. Re:Missing info by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 01:53 · Score: 0
  
  Doesn't have to be your twin brother. Some friend of the cashier can, too, if sufficiently crooked.
Another NSA driven idea by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 21:43 · Score: 0

What next? Are people ready for chips implanted in arms yet?
i have an identical twin by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 22:08 · Score: 0

what about me?
1. Re:i have an identical twin by Overzeetop · 2013-08-08 22:57 · Score: 2
  
  Sounds like free lunch on you're twin's dime.
  
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  Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
2. Re:i have an identical twin by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 23:02 · Score: 0
  
  And if you had a twin, you could sign up for free grammar lessons.
3. Re:i have an identical twin by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 23:37 · Score: 0
  
  "You are twin's dime"? Head asplode.
  Maybe you can use your twins paypal account to buy some english lessons.
4. Re:i have an identical twin by AmiMoJo · 2013-08-09 01:12 · Score: 1
  
  I'm surprised identity fraudsters don't create fake identical twins more often.
  
  --
  const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
  SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
Extraneous middle man taking cut. by MrL0G1C · 2013-08-08 22:31 · Score: 5, Insightful

So paypal get their % cut and then the card company get their % cut. No thanks, this makes goods more expensive.

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1. Re:Extraneous middle man taking cut. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 22:45 · Score: 0
  
  As if paypal wasn't annoying enough already.
2. Re:Extraneous middle man taking cut. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 23:12 · Score: 0
  
  It will be interesting to see if it takes off in Australia.
  Already shops here are legally allowed to say "Mastercard/VISA? 2% extra please. Amex/Diners? 3.5% extra." EFTPOS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eftpos) is usually free.
  I can already see "Paypal? Add 1%." (or whatever their cut is.)
3. Re:Extraneous middle man taking cut. by dimeglio · 2013-08-08 23:39 · Score: 1
  
  What are the alternatives for on-line commerce? Bank transfers don't seem too popular. Paying cash or by cheque is silly. Prepaid cards have fees. ?
  
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  Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the author.
4. Re:Extraneous middle man taking cut. by MancunianMaskMan · 2013-08-08 23:51 · Score: 1
  
  Among the alternatives you list, one stands out as merely "unpopular" rather than having sound reasons against it.
5. Re:Extraneous middle man taking cut. by PhillC · 2013-08-09 00:09 · Score: 1
  
  Why is paying cash silly? Maybe in Korea only old people use cash, but I generally find it far more convenient than making card payments. I usually withdraw a couple of hundred Pounds from an ATM, then use that money to buy most things under £100 until the cash runs out, then withdraw some more. This, to me, seems like quite a sensible way to operate, not silly at all.
  
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6. Re:Extraneous middle man taking cut. by PhillC · 2013-08-09 00:10 · Score: 1
  
  Oh fuck, if I'd read your post thoroughly, I'd see you were talking about on-line commerce only. My point was with regards to using cash in bricks and mortar transactions.
  
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7. Re:Extraneous middle man taking cut. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 00:11 · Score: 0
  
  It is easier to contest a fraudulent credit card/paypal payment than a bank transfer (in my country these can't be reversed).
8. Re:Extraneous middle man taking cut. by MrL0G1C · 2013-08-09 00:40 · Score: 1
  
  The summary is about Paypal being used at high street retailers, so cash and debit/credit cards are suitable.
  
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9. Re:Extraneous middle man taking cut. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 04:43 · Score: 0
  
  Bitcoin
why is paypal legal ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 22:59 · Score: 2

Other "banks" require government licenses and are heavily regulated. And I consider paypal a bank because it has control over the funds it keeps for its users, just like a bank.
1. Re:why is paypal legal ? by Hognoxious · 2013-08-08 23:07 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I agree. If it waddles like a bank and quacks like a bank then it's a bank.
  Unless it's a building society. Assuming they still exist...
  
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2. Re:why is paypal legal ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 23:27 · Score: 1
  
  Paypal is goverment regulated and is indeed a considered a bank by European goverments.
3. Re:why is paypal legal ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 23:40 · Score: 0
  
  PayPal is not a bank and is not your pal. There were several times I had my real bank "claw" money back from those fucken crooks. Fuck PayPal.
4. Re:why is paypal legal ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 00:01 · Score: 1
  
  Nationwide in the UK is a huge Building Society. Actually I think it is or was the worlds biggest.
  There are like 40-50+ of them in the UK last I checked Wikipedia. Yeah 45 now. 2008 killed a few. Damn 2008.
5. Re:why is paypal legal ? by jonbryce · 2013-08-09 00:32 · Score: 1
  
  They are registered as an "electronic money issuer" in Luxembourg. A registration in one EU country is valid in all EU countries. It is not quite the same as a bank, the main difference is that there is no deposit insurance in the event that they go bust, however, unlike real banks, they are required to keep customers' money in a separate ring-fenced account.
6. Re:why is paypal legal ? by CastrTroy · 2013-08-09 00:41 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  Yeah, because it was PayPal, not the banks, that lead to a world-wide financial crisis. Although I understand what you're saying, I don't trust that government regulation will protect us from everything. Make sure you understand the agreements you are entering into with your banking institution. There are thousands of banks in the US. I highly doubt that all of them are that trustworthy or safe with your money.
  
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Time to set my profile picture to a penis by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-08 23:26 · Score: 0

:-)
1. Re:Time to set my profile picture to a penis by JustOK · 2013-08-09 00:10 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  That would only be good for microtransactions
  
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  rewriting history since 2109
profile pictures can be perfectly faked by WOOFYGOOFY · 2013-08-09 01:57 · Score: 1

http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/videos/walter-white-interviews-bryan-cranston-on-fallon-20130803
just sayin'.
1. Re:profile pictures can be perfectly faked by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 04:48 · Score: 0
  
  That and I bet a huge amount of dumb people would use their social media profile pics
Square? by llamahunter · 2013-08-09 03:25 · Score: 1

Isn't this exactly what Square has done for some time? Nothing new here... move along.
Basis for projected growth? by Mr.+Freeman · 2013-08-09 07:07 · Score: 1

This can be summed up by saying: a company has a product being used by an absurdly small number of people but expects it to grow immensely in a very short period of time.

Well no kidding. Of course they expect it to grow rapidly, they're the ones selling it! Do they have any real evidence to suggest that this will actually happen? Of course not.

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Probably being thick by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-09 08:00 · Score: 0

Couldn't a crook just point the iPad camera at a print of the profile pic of the user?