Barclays launched their Pingit mobile payment app back in 2013. The app allowed users to send money to friends and family through their mobile devices, making financial transactions more convenient and accessible.
Now, Barclays has announced an exciting new feature for their Pingit app: users can send and receive mobile payments using their Twitter username. This innovative update aims to simplify the payment process even further by integrating social media with mobile banking.
Darren Foulds, Director of Barclays Mobile Banking and Pingit said: “We are always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to make people’s lives easier and customer feedback plays a big part in how we chose to further develop our apps.
“Adding the ability to pay people or a small business using just a Twitter handle brings together a social and digital experience to create a new step forward for mobile payments in the UK”.
With eighty per cent of UK Twitter users now accessing the social network through their mobile regularly, the offering gives people a new, fast and safe way to pay without having to always provide either bank details or a phone number.
How Twitter Payments Work
The new support for Twitter payments will be available when a new version of Pingit is released for both iOS and Android on the 10th of March. This feature allows users to link their Twitter handle to their Pingit account, enabling them to send and receive payments using just their Twitter username. This eliminates the need to share sensitive information like bank details or phone numbers, enhancing both convenience and security.
To use this feature, users simply need to update their Pingit app and follow the instructions to link their Twitter account. Once linked, they can select a contact from their Twitter followers and send payments directly through the app. This seamless integration of social media and mobile banking is expected to revolutionize the way people handle financial transactions.
Benefits and Implications
The integration of Twitter payments into the Pingit app offers several benefits. Firstly, it simplifies the payment process by reducing the number of steps required to send money. Users no longer need to input bank details or phone numbers, making transactions quicker and more straightforward.
Secondly, this feature enhances security. By using Twitter handles instead of sensitive information, the risk of data breaches and fraud is significantly reduced. This is particularly important in today’s digital age, where cyber threats are a growing concern.
Moreover, this update opens up new possibilities for small businesses and freelancers. They can now receive payments from customers and clients through Twitter, making it easier to manage transactions and improve cash flow. This is especially beneficial for those who rely on social media for marketing and customer engagement.
For example, a freelance graphic designer who promotes their services on Twitter can now receive payments directly through the platform. This not only streamlines the payment process but also enhances the overall customer experience.
In addition to these practical benefits, the integration of Twitter payments into the Pingit app reflects a broader trend towards the convergence of social media and financial services. As more people use social media for various aspects of their lives, it makes sense to incorporate financial transactions into these platforms. This trend is likely to continue, with other financial institutions and tech companies exploring similar integrations.
The new Twitter payment feature in the Pingit app represents a significant step forward in the evolution of mobile banking. By combining the convenience of social media with the security of mobile payments, Barclays is setting a new standard for financial transactions in the digital age. This update not only simplifies the payment process but also opens up new opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions that make our lives easier and more connected.
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