UK Government adds Apple Pay support for select online services
When Apple Pay was released alongside the Apple Watch and iPhone 6 in 2014, it arguably changed the way we pay via contactless and introduced mobile payments to the masses. Since its launch, it has reached thousands of stores, most big brands and now expanding across websites too. Transport for London uses Apple Pay, and so do several transit systems across the world. This is not just an observation, with Apple in its latest earnings call pointing out the continued growth of Apple Pay across the world.
The UK government has added fuel to this growth this week, by rolling out support for Apple Pay as a way to pay for select online services on Gov.uk. It was also reported by ITV, that Apple’s payment service will also be added to local government services, the police and also the National Health Service.
When Gov.uk launched over three years ago, it started with support for debit and credit cards, so the addition of Apple Pay as another alternative way of payment doesn’t just make the process more simple, but it also adds a further level of security with Apples focus on privacy and security over mobile payments.
The UK Minister for Implementation Olivia Dowden noted that it will make payments through the site easier, and also reduce levels of fraud.
We’re focused on making access to Government services as easy as possible. And introducing mobile payment to gov.uk Pay will also make transactions more secure. – This is another example of how we are working smarter as a Government – improving services for people as well as reducing fraud and costs.
Apple Pay on Gov.uk is yet another example of the growing dominance of Mobile Payments over the traditional credit/debit card. Only time will tell where the future of mobile payments will go next.