Community

@ anon:

https://developer.axabanque.fr/api/index.html 

Thanks for the update David. When we talked to your representatives last month, chip and PIN certainly wasn't an option – a cause of some concern among our readers. 

Coincidently, DailyWorth, an "online community designed to help women master their money" has put out a PR today about a new tie-up with PFM site Mint.

I agree, this gender-specific stuff seems a bit retrograde but then DailyWorth has 250,000 newsletter subscribers so it must what (some) women want.

I also spotted this piece on (very pink) girl-only mobile phones a few weeks ago but they're for the Japanese market so can maybe be disregarded... 

Yes, mPowa's cut is 0.25% (with a minimum of 25p).

This is what the company tells us on the mag-stripe/chip and PIN issue:

"It does require a swipe - it's not something the manufacturer considers a problem given the current prevalence for UK cards with dual functionality on that front."

An interesting approach that contrasts with that of Sweden-based iZettle, which uses the chip, not mag-stripe.

There will be a press conference tomorrow and the paper should then be posted on the EU Web site. We'll keep an eye out for it and post a link.

Recent developments in the UK.

Interesting piece on Branson the carpetbagger in today’s Guardian. Despite the beard and flair for self-promotion, he’s really not very anti-establishment.

Completely agree and it was an oversight from us to repeat their phrase. Have edited.

David

The report says "personal data" but it just means bank/card details. 

On mobiles:

"As the smart chip technology on both bank cards and mobile payments is the same, TfL's work to prepare Oyster readers for the current bank card roll-out can be easily adapted to mobile phone payments in the future...The Committee thus supports TfL's position to monitor developments in the market before committing to any further development."

Quite why any adaption would be needed isn't explained - I don't get it either.

We've attached the full report now for anyone who wants to read it.