Depop, a social shopping app, was a springboard for many young designers during the pandemic. Some are now taking their success elsewhere.
Tag Archives: Mobile Commerce and Payments
Crypto Is Crashing. Where Were the Regulators?
An anatomy materializes of a postmodern pyramid scheme.
Mark Zuckerberg Prepares Meta Employees for a Tougher 2022
In an internal meeting this week, Mr. Zuckerberg said the tech giant was facing one of the “worst downturns that we’ve seen in recent history.”
When Customers Say Their Money Was Stolen on Zelle, Banks Often Refuse to Pay
Federal law requires banks to reimburse customers for unauthorized electronic transfers, but they often refuse, stranding victims.
E.U. Takes Aim at Big Tech’s Power With Landmark Digital Act
The European Union is expected to finalize the Digital Markets Act, the most sweeping legislation to regulate tech since a European privacy law was passed in 2018.
Fraud Is Flourishing on Zelle. The Banks Say It’s Not Their Problem.
Zelle, the payments platform used by millions of customers, is a popular target of scammers. But banks have been reluctant to make fraud victims whole — despite owning the system.
Amazon Opens a Whole Foods With the Next Step in Automation
A newly revamped store in Washington shows how thoroughly Amazon has woven itself into the grocery shopping experience.
Crypto Scammers Target Dating Apps
“Everything was a lie,” said one woman lured into a recent scam.
Cryptocurrency Enthusiasts Meet Their Match: Angry Gamers
Game publishers are offering NFTs, but skeptical gamers smell a moneymaking scheme and are fighting back.
Crypto Enthusiasts Meet Their Match: Angry Gamers
Game publishers are offering NFTs, but skeptical gamers smell a moneymaking scheme and are fighting back.
How Tech is Helping Poor People Get Government Aid
Even as the government expanded aid programs, many people faced barriers to using them. That problem is now being addressed with apps and streamlined websites.
Is an All-Encompassing Mobility App Making a Comeback?
Versions of “mobility as a service,” or MaaS, apps exist, but companies and cities will need to come together for the idea to gain momentum.
Jack Dorsey Steps Down as C.E.O. of Twitter
The social media pioneer, whose name has become synonymous with the company, was replaced by Twitter’s chief technology officer, Parag Agrawal.
Jack Dorsey Expected to Step Down as C.E.O. of Twitter
The social media pioneer, whose name has become synonymous with Twitter, is also the chief executive of another company, Square.
PayPal Says It Isn’t Pursuing Pinterest
The payments firm squelched talk that it was seeking the social media platform “at this time.” A deal might have been worth about $45 billion.
Food Delivery Apps Sue NY Over Fee Limits
Grubhub, Uber Eats and Door Dash have characterized a 15 percent cap on fees charged to restaurants as an unconstitutional measure that will hurt consumers.
In Epic vs. Apple Court Fight, a Win for App Developers
The decision could have major implications for thousands of businesses that pay Apple billions of dollars each year.
El Salvador’s Bitcoin Adoption Is Marred by Glitches
Experts had raised concerns about making the digital token an official currency and the rapid execution of new technology on a national scale.
Affirm and Afterpay Soar as Customers Buy Into Paying Later
Installment payment services are everywhere thanks to fresh deals with Amazon and Square. It’s a simple idea that can quickly get complicated for users.
Apple Plans Another Tweak to Its Strict App Store Rules
The change, which affects apps like Spotify and Netflix, will allow developers to steer users to their websites rather than the App Store.
Thousands Descend on Miami to Glorify Bitcoin
It was the largest Bitcoin event in the world and the first major in-person crypto conference since the pandemic started. The jargon, the liquor and the millionaire talk flowed.
Can Snapchat Win the War Against TikTok?
Evan Spiegel, the C.E.O. of Snap Inc., says he knows what users want: “fame, fortune” — and wearable A.R.
Apple’s App Store Draws E.U. Antitrust Charge
By forcing app developers to use its payment system and comply with other rules, regulators said Apple broke European Union competition laws.
A Global Tipping Point for Reining In Tech Has Arrived
Never before have so many countries, including China, moved with such vigor at the same time to limit the power of a single industry.
Alibaba Faces $2.8 Billion Fine From Chinese Regulators
The penalty is Beijing’s toughest action to date in its campaign to tighten supervision of the country’s internet Goliaths.
The Start-Up Enemies of Wall Street Are Booming
Times are flush for young tech companies like Stripe and Coinbase, which are having a moment as they upend the financial establishment.
A Smarter App Is Watching Your Wallet
As artificial intelligence evolves, personal finance programs are working to offer you, and your budget, tailored advice.
China Charges Ahead With a National Digital Currency
The electronic Chinese yuan is now being tested in cities such as Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing. No other major power is as far along with a homegrown digital currency.
Bitcoin and Dogecoin Are Boosted by Elon Musk
Bitcoin and even Dogecoin, which began as a playful experiment, are soaring in value as billionaires, companies and celebrities promote the digital currencies.
The Tech That Will Invade Our Lives in 2021
Spoiler: We’re looking at another year of internet services dominating many aspects of our lives.
Ant Challenged Beijing and Prospered. Now It Toes the Line.
The tech giant, which is preparing for a mega I.P.O., has transformed personal finance in China. Regulators have taken notice.
When Your Last $166 Vanishes: ‘Fast Fraud’ Surges on Payment Apps
People are getting defrauded as they turn to Square’s Cash App and PayPal’s Venmo to do more online banking in the pandemic.
Apple and Epic Games Spar Over Returning Fortnite to the App Store
The two companies argued in federal court over Apple’s power over apps, as their fight heads to trial next year.
Google Demands Its 30% Cut From App Developers in Play Store
Some companies like Netflix and Spotify had avoided making the payment when people paid for something inside their apps.
Free the Apps!
Apple and Google have a virtual monopoly on distributing mobile apps — that’s bad for competition.
To Fight Apple and Google, Smaller App Rivals Organize a Coalition
Spotify, Match Group, Epic Games and others have created a nonprofit alliance that they hope will amplify a protest against the power of the giants.
Trump Wants to Cripple TikTok and WeChat. Why?
He says that they are a security threat. If so, it is time to show the world the evidence.
‘It’s So Essential’: WeChat Ban Makes U.S.-China Standoff Personal
When downloads of the Chinese-owned messaging service are barred in the U.S. starting at midnight on Sunday, the feud between the countries will hit home for millions of people.
Explaining Trump Ban on TikTok, WeChat
The Commerce Department announced that it was prohibiting downloads of WeChat and TikTok in U.S. app stores. Here’s what you need to know.
Who Gets Hurt When the World Stops Using Cash
Some people don’t have credit or debit cards, so a growing number of state and local governments are requiring businesses to accept cash.
Why Does Walmart Want to Buy TikTok?
The app’s Chinese version, Douyin, is trying to become a mobile marketplace where video stars promote products. That could be a model for the U.S. retail giant if it acquires TikTok.
To Fight Apple and Google’s Grip, Fortnite Creator Mounts a Crusade
Tim Sweeney, chief executive of Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, has railed against tech power. “The market is out of control,” he said.
How Apple’s 30% App Store Cut Became a Boon and a Headache
App makers like the game company Epic and the music service Spotify are challenging Apple’s right to a large cut of their sales. Regulators have taken notice.
Apple Bans Fortnite From Its App Store
The hugely popular gaming app was removed by Apple after it said Fortnite’s creator, Epic Games, violated its App Store guidelines.
Trump’s Orders on WeChat and TikTok Are Uncertain. That May Be the Point.
The restrictions on the two Chinese-owned apps followed a familiar model for other policy announcements on China from the Trump administration.
The Boohoo Disaster, Explained
Boohoo was one of the fastest-growing retailers in Britain. Now the company is in trouble after revelations about working conditions in supplier factories.
Deutsche Bank May Offer Wirecard a Lifeline
Deutsche Bank said it was considering offering emergency financing to the hobbled German fintech giant, which has filed for insolvency.
Behind Wirecard’s Collapse: Allegations of Lies, Spies and Missing Billions
Markus Braun built Wirecard to “conquer the world,” but those aspirations attracted skeptics. Its accounting scandal has sent shock waves through Germany.
Square, Jack Dorsey’s Pay Service, Is Withholding Money Merchants Say They Need
Small businesses say the Twitter chief’s other company is holding on to 30 percent of their customers’ payments during the pandemic.
Instagram Wants Its Influencers to Make More Money
The platform announced updates aimed at helping creators monetize their audience.