E-commerce has become one of the biggest trends over the past two decades ?. More and more people are turning to online shopping every year, and are now using their smartphones to find deals. According to IBM Digital Analytics, online sales on Thanksgiving weekend increased 17% over last year, with mobile accounting for more than half of online traffic for the first time.
Twitter seeks to capitalize on this with shopping beep. It has partnered with marketing platforms such as Musictoday Gumroad and to allow traders to sell their products directly to followers on Twitter, without customers ever leaving Twitter itself.
This raises the question of whether e-commerce on social media channels is a good idea or not. It certainly changes the way we pay, but do we really want an intermediary involved in our online shopping? Is it even safe?
How Twitter "Buy" button work?
Twitter is to make a simple purchase a few taps. After pressing "Buy" Product details pop up, and you are prompted to enter payment and shipping. These screenshots illustrate how it works
After your first transaction, your payment information is encrypted and stored safely, according to Twitter . The social media giant uses Stripe, a payments start-up, process and store all financial data. Although there is an option to go back and delete the information of payment / delivery of your account after you are first given the opportunity to do so. Instead, Twitter (with the help of Stripe) will be automatically recorded and stored after a transaction.
Who can use this?
The purpose of Twitter is to eventually transfer his idea of real-time tweets for purchases in real time, with offers and goods that are exclusive to Twitter. Since the "Buy" button is in its early stages, it is currently being tested with a small group of brands, artists and non-profit organizations - including Wiz Khalifa, Eminem, Demi Lovato, Burberry and RED. It is available for users in the US have a Twitter account and the Twitter app for iPhone or Android.
How safe is the Twitter "Buy" Button?
With the addition of third-party payment systems, like Twitter "Buy" button, consumers can ask whether it is necessary to have a third party handle your payment instead of dealing directly merchant. In other words, no. Since then, there have been so many data breaches over the past year, it is impractical to provide your financial information through an additional company, when you can simply buy the product directly from the merchant.
Although these third party payment systems make things easier and less time, your main concern should be the safety aspect. Hackings and violations occur more businesses and more frequently, and more adverse levels - take the Sony hack for example. As technology continues to evolve, so do additional means to rape her. With the number of data breaches on the rise, it is generally not worth giving your information only for the convenience.
That being said, there may be a chance that you prefer to take the risk because of the convenience factor - after all, this is what online shopping is all about. If you decide to use the "Buy" button, you must make sure never to buy anything while you are connected to Wi-Fi for you and your financial information put at increased risk of theft 'identity. Using a Wi-Fi can save you some data charges, but it is not always secure. You must always be careful not to trust a public network, and never enter payment information or access to your bank accounts while connected to Wi-Fi. This blog can provide more details on how to protect yourself while using a public network. To learn more about identity theft and how you can protect yourself, visit our Identity Theft Protection blog.