![\"\u2122\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/2122.png\")
Monthly Report: The Evolving Digital Daily.\u201dUsers can now save passkeys to\u00a0Google Password Manager\u00a0on desktop, in addition to Android devices.
\nThis new capability allows users to sync passkeys securely across all their devices,\u00a0Chirag Desai, product manager, Chrome at Google, wrote in a Thursday (Sept. 19)\u00a0blog post.
\n\u201cUp until now, you could only save passkeys to Google Password Manager on Android,\u201d Desai wrote. \u201cYou could use them on other devices, but you\u2019d need to scan a QR code using your Android device.\u201d
\n\u201cToday, we\u2019re rolling out updates that make it even easier to use passkeys across your devices,\u201d Desai added.
\nUsers can now save passkeys to Google Password Manager from Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, according to the post. ChromeOS is currently available for testing in beta.
\nOnce the passkeys are saved, they will automatically sync across the user\u2019s devices, so users can sign in by scanning their fingerprint, per the post.
\n\u201cSigning in to your favorite sites and apps on any device should be as quick and easy as unlocking your phone,\u201d Desai wrote in the post. \u201cThat\u2019s where passkeys come in. They\u2019re safer than passwords and easier to use, letting you use your fingerprint, face or screen lock to securely sign in to apps and websites \u2014 moving us one step closer to a passwordless future.\u201d
\nThe development and usage of\u00a0passkeys is arguably one of the most important security stories of the year, PYMNTS reported in May. They have been at the center of recent product introductions from Visa, Mastercard and other payments and financial services companies.
\nWhen shopping online,\u00a0passkeys replace the need for passwords or one-time codes, enabling more streamlined, secure transactions,\u00a0Mark Nelsen, senior vice president and global head of consumer payments at Visa, told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster in an interview posted in May.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve all had times when you try to buy something and it doesn\u2019t go through and you have to call your bank and they tell you there\u2019s something suspicious about the transaction,\u201d Nelsen said. \u201cWith Passkeys, if you do the facial scan immediately upfront, you can do that real quick check. That means all these transactions will go through seamlessly and you no longer have to confirm your identity after the fact.\u201d
\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0Digital Transformation Newsletter.
\nThe post Google Facilitates the Use of Passkeys on Desktop appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Users can now save passkeys to\u00a0Google Password Manager\u00a0on desktop, in addition to Android devices.\nThis new capability allows users to sync passkeys securely across all their devices,\u00a0Chirag Desai, product manager, Chrome at Google, wrote in a Thursday (Sept. 19)\u00a0blog post.\n\u201cUp until now, you could only save passkeys to Google Password Manager on Android,\u201d Desai wrote. \u201cYou could use them on other devices, but you\u2019d need to scan a QR code using your Android device.\u201d\n\u201cToday, we\u2019re rolling out updates that make it even easier to use passkeys across your devices,\u201d Desai added.\nUsers can now save passkeys to Google Password Manager from Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, according to the post. ChromeOS is currently available for testing in beta.\nOnce the passkeys are saved, they will automatically sync across the user\u2019s devices, so users can sign in by scanning their fingerprint, per the post.\n\u201cSigning in to your favorite sites and apps on any device should be as quick and easy as unlocking your phone,\u201d Desai wrote in the post. \u201cThat\u2019s where passkeys come in. They\u2019re safer than passwords and easier to use, letting you use your fingerprint, face or screen lock to securely sign in to apps and websites \u2014 moving us one step closer to a passwordless future.\u201d\nThe development and usage of\u00a0passkeys is arguably one of the most important security stories of the year, PYMNTS reported in May. They have been at the center of recent product introductions from Visa, Mastercard and other payments and financial services companies.\nWhen shopping online,\u00a0passkeys replace the need for passwords or one-time codes, enabling more streamlined, secure transactions,\u00a0Mark Nelsen, senior vice president and global head of consumer payments at Visa, told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster in an interview posted in May.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve all had times when you try to buy something and it doesn\u2019t go through and you have to call your bank and they tell you there\u2019s something suspicious about the transaction,\u201d Nelsen said. \u201cWith Passkeys, if you do the facial scan immediately upfront, you can do that real quick check. That means all these transactions will go through seamlessly and you no longer have to confirm your identity after the fact.\u201d\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0Digital Transformation Newsletter.\nThe post Google Facilitates the Use of Passkeys on Desktop appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-09-19T18:10:07-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-09-19T18:12:53-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Google-passkeys-desktop.jpg", "tags": [ "Connected Economy", "Cybersecurity", "digital transformation", "Google", "Google Password Manager", "News", "Passkeys", "passwords", "PYMNTS News", "Security", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2099578", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-launches-smartwatch-pact-with-medtech-firm-masimo/", "title": "Google Launches Smartwatch Pact With MedTech Firm Masimo", "content_html": "After tangling in court with Apple over smartwatch features, medical technology company Masimo is teaming with Google.
\nThe company announced in a news release Saturday (Sept. 14) that it was working with Google to develop a new reference platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) building the tech giant’s Wear OS smartwatches.\u00a0
\nThe platform, the company said, will allow OEMs to more efficiently bring Wear watches to market, incorporating Masimo’s biosensing technologies and standardizing smartwatch devices. The platform is designed to support the Wear OS ecosystem, the company added, which includes health and wellness tracking tools.
\n\u201cBuilding quality smartwatches with premium features that users have come to expect can be time consuming and costly,\u201d said Bjorn Kilburn, general manager of Wear OS for Google.
\n\u201cWith Masimo’s reference platform, smartwatch makers are able to benefit from state-of-the-art biosensing technology and quickly bring their Wear OS devices to market, at scale.\u201d
\nAccording to the release, OEMs who adopt the new Masimo platform, which is expected to be compatible with Google apps and services designed for the Wear OS platform, \u201cwill continue to design and produce their new smartwatches\u2019 physical exteriors and have creative control over the appearance of the user interface.\u201d
\nMasimo had sued Apple in 2020, claiming the company had stolen trade secrets related to its health monitoring technology. Last October, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple\u2019s watch violates Masimo\u2019s patent, setting up a potential ban on the device.
\nEarlier this year, Apple removed a blood oxygen feature from two of its Apple Watch versions, allowing sales in the U.S. to proceed.
\nAnd in other news from the intersection of wearable devices and health, Google last month teamed with Peloton on a multi-year, multi-country collaboration to promote their fitness-oriented offerings to each other\u2019s customers.
\nThe convergence of technology and fitness, illustrated by the rise of wearable devices that aggregate a range of fitness data sources, has become a trend in the post-COVID landscape, PYMNTS reported in May.
\nYounger consumers are particularly likely to adopt healthcare-related wearables, according to the March 2023 edition of PYMNTS Intelligence\u2019s \u201cThe ConnectedEconomy Monthly Report: The Evolving Digital Daily.\u201d
That report found that 30% of Gen Z respondents use wearable technology that gathers health information on a daily basis, along with 27% of millennials.
\nThe post Google Launches Smartwatch Pact With MedTech Firm Masimo appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "After tangling in court with Apple over smartwatch features, medical technology company Masimo is teaming with Google.\nThe company announced in a news release Saturday (Sept. 14) that it was working with Google to develop a new reference platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) building the tech giant’s Wear OS smartwatches.\u00a0\nThe platform, the company said, will allow OEMs to more efficiently bring Wear watches to market, incorporating Masimo’s biosensing technologies and standardizing smartwatch devices. The platform is designed to support the Wear OS ecosystem, the company added, which includes health and wellness tracking tools.\n\u201cBuilding quality smartwatches with premium features that users have come to expect can be time consuming and costly,\u201d said Bjorn Kilburn, general manager of Wear OS for Google.\n\u201cWith Masimo’s reference platform, smartwatch makers are able to benefit from state-of-the-art biosensing technology and quickly bring their Wear OS devices to market, at scale.\u201d\nAccording to the release, OEMs who adopt the new Masimo platform, which is expected to be compatible with Google apps and services designed for the Wear OS platform, \u201cwill continue to design and produce their new smartwatches\u2019 physical exteriors and have creative control over the appearance of the user interface.\u201d \nMasimo had sued Apple in 2020, claiming the company had stolen trade secrets related to its health monitoring technology. Last October, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple\u2019s watch violates Masimo\u2019s patent, setting up a potential ban on the device.\nEarlier this year, Apple removed a blood oxygen feature from two of its Apple Watch versions, allowing sales in the U.S. to proceed.\nAnd in other news from the intersection of wearable devices and health, Google last month teamed with Peloton on a multi-year, multi-country collaboration to promote their fitness-oriented offerings to each other\u2019s customers.\nThe convergence of technology and fitness, illustrated by the rise of wearable devices that aggregate a range of fitness data sources, has become a trend in the post-COVID landscape, PYMNTS reported in May.\nYounger consumers are particularly likely to adopt healthcare-related wearables, according to the March 2023 edition of PYMNTS Intelligence\u2019s \u201cThe ConnectedEconomy Monthly Report: The Evolving Digital Daily.\u201d\nThat report found that 30% of Gen Z respondents use wearable technology that gathers health information on a daily basis, along with 27% of millennials.\nThe post Google Launches Smartwatch Pact With MedTech Firm Masimo appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-09-16T06:56:33-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-09-16T06:56:33-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Google-Pixel-smartphones-watch.jpg", "tags": [ "Google", "Google Watch", "health monitoring", "Masimo", "News", "partnerships", "PYMNTS News", "Smartwatch", "smartwatches", "Wear OS", "wearable", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2097910", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-wallet-debuts-digital-ids-and-enhances-commuter-features/", "title": "Google Wallet Debuts Digital IDs and Enhances Commuter Features", "content_html": "Google Wallet on Thursday (Sept. 12) unveiled enhanced features to improve the travel and commuting experience.
\nStarting soon, per a Thursday Google blog post, U.S. users can create digital IDs from their passports for use at select TSA checkpoints, making domestic travel more convenient. The service also expands support for state-issued IDs and prepaid commuter benefit cards, with plans to integrate more transit options globally.
\nIn the blog post, which announced these new features, Google Wallet Vice President and General Manager Jenny Cheng said: \u201cPeople are increasingly looking for ways to digitize everyday items \u2014 with one of the top requests being a digital ID. Last year we began rolling out the ability to save select state-issued digital IDs to Wallet. Starting soon, we\u2019ll begin beta testing a new type of digital ID in Google Wallet, giving more people in more places a way to create and store a digital ID.\u201d
\nAccording to \u201cDigital Wallets Beyond Financial Transactions: A Global Perspective,\u201d a\u00a0PYMNTS Intelligence\u00a0and Google Wallet collaboration, 70% of consumers across Brazil, France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. use digital wallets.
\nWhile the digital ID feature using U.S. passports can be used at select TSA checkpoints for domestic travel, it doesn\u2019t replace physical IDs. It aims to streamline airport processes.
\nCreating this digital ID is a straightforward process. Consumers can open the Google Wallet app and choose the option to \u201ccreate an ID pass with your U.S. passport.\u201d The app will guide them through scanning the security chip embedded in their passports. To confirm a consumer\u2019s identity, he or she will need to record a quick selfie video. Once completed, Google Wallet will process the information and notify consumers when their digital ID pass is ready for use, which typically takes a few minutes.
\nIn another Thursday blog post announcing the features, Google Wallet Group Project Manager Alan Stapelberg said the passport data is kept encrypted to ensure security, unlike a physical ID.
\n\u201cToday, if you\u2019re presenting your physical ID (for example to confirm your age or your address) you have to share everything \u2014 your name, address, your physical description and more. However, with a digital ID, you can share only the required data. Additionally, you must authenticate the device with a fingerprint, PIN or passcode in order for any of your ID information to be shared with the requester,\u201d he wrote.
\n\u201cWith government-issued digital IDs in Google Wallet today, we use end-to-end encryption between the mobile device where the ID is stored and the issuing party,\u201d he continued. \u201cWhen saving a government-issued ID to Wallet, Google servers do not see ID information during provisioning and management of the credential. Additionally, we store your data encrypted \u2014 which means no one can see or access the ID information unless you authenticate on the phone, ensuring the digital ID can\u2019t be copied and re-used.\u201d
\nEarlier this year, the U.S. State Department\u00a0announced it is beta testing a public-facing program that enables would-be travelers to renew passports online.
\nCheng wrote that Google Wallet has seen significant growth in transit use, doubling its user base for commutes in the past 18 months. The service now supports more transit cards globally, including prepaid commuter benefit cards in the U.S. and public transport tickets in various international locations. New features such as automatic ticket imports from Gmail and live train status updates have been added to enhance the commuting experience.
\nTo improve overall user experience, Google has introduced notifications for pass changes and added web access to passes at wallet.google.com. The company continues to work with partners worldwide to expand Google Wallet\u2019s functionality, aiming to make it a comprehensive, secure solution for daily digital needs across various situations and locations, Cheng said. These enhancements reflect Google\u2019s commitment to digitizing everyday items and streamlining user experiences while maintaining a focus on security and privacy.
\nInternationally, Google Wallet is collaborating with various transit and payment providers to extend mobile payment options. For instance, commuters in Hamburg, Germany can now save their public transport tickets in Google Wallet, with similar functionality coming soon for iPASSCard users in Taiwan and more Octopus Card users in Hong Kong. In Germany, where over half a million users already store their Deutschlandticket in Google Wallet, the company has implemented secure ticketing through Motics, offering enhanced protection against copying and tampering.
\nTo further streamline the commuting experience, Google Wallet now automatically imports tickets from booking confirmations sent to Gmail, ensuring easy access when needed. Additionally, an upcoming feature will allow users to view live train status updates directly from their ticket in Wallet, providing real-time information on train schedules and any delays, as well as access to tickets for future rides.
\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0Digital Transformation Newsletter.
\nThe post Google Wallet Debuts Digital IDs and Enhances Commuter Features appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google Wallet on Thursday (Sept. 12) unveiled enhanced features to improve the travel and commuting experience.\nStarting soon, per a Thursday Google blog post, U.S. users can create digital IDs from their passports for use at select TSA checkpoints, making domestic travel more convenient. The service also expands support for state-issued IDs and prepaid commuter benefit cards, with plans to integrate more transit options globally.\nIn the blog post, which announced these new features, Google Wallet Vice President and General Manager Jenny Cheng said: \u201cPeople are increasingly looking for ways to digitize everyday items \u2014 with one of the top requests being a digital ID. Last year we began rolling out the ability to save select state-issued digital IDs to Wallet. Starting soon, we\u2019ll begin beta testing a new type of digital ID in Google Wallet, giving more people in more places a way to create and store a digital ID.\u201d\nAccording to \u201cDigital Wallets Beyond Financial Transactions: A Global Perspective,\u201d a\u00a0PYMNTS Intelligence\u00a0and Google Wallet collaboration, 70% of consumers across Brazil, France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. use digital wallets.\nWhile the digital ID feature using U.S. passports can be used at select TSA checkpoints for domestic travel, it doesn\u2019t replace physical IDs. It aims to streamline airport processes.\nCreating this digital ID is a straightforward process. Consumers can open the Google Wallet app and choose the option to \u201ccreate an ID pass with your U.S. passport.\u201d The app will guide them through scanning the security chip embedded in their passports. To confirm a consumer\u2019s identity, he or she will need to record a quick selfie video. Once completed, Google Wallet will process the information and notify consumers when their digital ID pass is ready for use, which typically takes a few minutes.\nData Security\nIn another Thursday blog post announcing the features, Google Wallet Group Project Manager Alan Stapelberg said the passport data is kept encrypted to ensure security, unlike a physical ID.\n\u201cToday, if you\u2019re presenting your physical ID (for example to confirm your age or your address) you have to share everything \u2014 your name, address, your physical description and more. However, with a digital ID, you can share only the required data. Additionally, you must authenticate the device with a fingerprint, PIN or passcode in order for any of your ID information to be shared with the requester,\u201d he wrote.\n\u201cWith government-issued digital IDs in Google Wallet today, we use end-to-end encryption between the mobile device where the ID is stored and the issuing party,\u201d he continued. \u201cWhen saving a government-issued ID to Wallet, Google servers do not see ID information during provisioning and management of the credential. Additionally, we store your data encrypted \u2014 which means no one can see or access the ID information unless you authenticate on the phone, ensuring the digital ID can\u2019t be copied and re-used.\u201d\nEarlier this year, the U.S. State Department\u00a0announced it is beta testing a public-facing program that enables would-be travelers to renew passports online.\nCheng wrote that Google Wallet has seen significant growth in transit use, doubling its user base for commutes in the past 18 months. The service now supports more transit cards globally, including prepaid commuter benefit cards in the U.S. and public transport tickets in various international locations. New features such as automatic ticket imports from Gmail and live train status updates have been added to enhance the commuting experience.\nTo improve overall user experience, Google has introduced notifications for pass changes and added web access to passes at wallet.google.com. The company continues to work with partners worldwide to expand Google Wallet\u2019s functionality, aiming to make it a comprehensive, secure solution for daily digital needs across various situations and locations, Cheng said. These enhancements reflect Google\u2019s commitment to digitizing everyday items and streamlining user experiences while maintaining a focus on security and privacy.\nExpanding Transit Payment Options\nInternationally, Google Wallet is collaborating with various transit and payment providers to extend mobile payment options. For instance, commuters in Hamburg, Germany can now save their public transport tickets in Google Wallet, with similar functionality coming soon for iPASSCard users in Taiwan and more Octopus Card users in Hong Kong. In Germany, where over half a million users already store their Deutschlandticket in Google Wallet, the company has implemented secure ticketing through Motics, offering enhanced protection against copying and tampering.\nTo further streamline the commuting experience, Google Wallet now automatically imports tickets from booking confirmations sent to Gmail, ensuring easy access when needed. Additionally, an upcoming feature will allow users to view live train status updates directly from their ticket in Wallet, providing real-time information on train schedules and any delays, as well as access to tickets for future rides.\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0Digital Transformation Newsletter.\nThe post Google Wallet Debuts Digital IDs and Enhances Commuter Features appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-09-12T09:00:46-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-09-12T09:29:30-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Google-wallet-digital-payments.png", "tags": [ "digital ID", "digital identity", "digital transformation", "digital wallets", "Editor's Picks", "Google", "Google Wallet", "ID", "ID verification", "Mobile Wallets", "News", "PYMNTS News", "transportation" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2097353", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-digital-ids-shift-digital-wallets-beyond-payments-and-passes/", "title": "Google: Digital IDs Shift Digital Wallets Beyond Payments and Passes", "content_html": "First, digital wallets came for paper cash, credit cards and the leather billfold.
\nNow, as they become more prevalent across end-users\u2019 daily lives, gaining traction as a convenient and secure way to store and use things like event tickets, transit cards and loyalty programs, a new dimension of their utility is beginning to emerge: digital IDs.
\nHowever, the digital ID ecosystem is still in its infancy, with several hurdles to overcome before digital IDs can replace physical ones entirely.
\n\u201cWhen it comes to being able to digitize and save these IDs, and of course to use them, the first and most critical thing to establish are sound and complete standards,\u201d Alan Stapelberg, group product manager at Google Wallet, told PYMNTS.
\n\u201cBeing able to use your digital identity requires the interaction of two parties, and standards help the interoperability between these devices, particularly when these devices are not built or provided by the same party,\u201d Stapelberg said.
\nHe highlighted Google\u2019s recent efforts in this area, including the recent integration of California driver\u2019s licenses. These milestones represent significant steps forward in the broader adoption of digital IDs.
\nRead more: What\u2019s in Gen Z\u2019s Mobile Wallet?
\nStill, recent PYMNTS Intelligence data shows that while some people are using digital wallets to store IDs, not many (about 8%) are actively using them.
\nIn order to spur greater usage, Stapelberg reemphasized the importance of standards like ISO 18013-5, which Google Wallet currently uses to convey IDs to TSA readers. These standards enable various parties to develop solutions that work together seamlessly, regardless of the devices involved.
\nHe added that Google has been active in working with standards bodies like the ISO and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to support the development and adoption of these programs. As digital IDs become more common, the need for such collaboration across the industry will only grow.
\nAnother significant challenge is the supply-and-demand dynamic inherent in the adoption of digital IDs.
\nOn the supply side, trusted issuers like state DMVs and government agencies need to digitize and provide these IDs. On the demand side, users need compelling reasons to adopt and use digital IDs, which requires creating use cases that offer convenience, flexibility and enhanced security.
\n\u201cOnce you have an ID, you need to be able to establish parties that can accept them,\u201d Stapelberg said.
\nCurrently, Google Wallet is live with digital IDs in five U.S. states, including California. Stapelberg pointed out that digital IDs offer several advantages over physical IDs, particularly in terms of privacy and security. For instance, digital IDs allow for selective disclosure, meaning that only the necessary information is shared with other parties. This feature is particularly beneficial in scenarios like purchasing alcohol, where only proof of age is required, rather than the entire set of personal information typically found on a driver\u2019s license.
\n\u201cStandards have done a great job to bring in and build a privacy centric narrative into the design and solution of IDs,\u201d Stapelberg said.
\nHe added that government-issued digital IDs in Google Wallet are encrypted end-to-end, ensuring that personal information remains private and secure, even if a user\u2019s phone is lost or stolen. This level of security makes digital IDs not only a viable alternative but potentially a safer option than physical IDs.
\nSee also: Digital Wallets Beyond Financial Transactions: A Global Perspective
\nScaling the adoption of digital IDs presents several challenges, similar to those faced during the early days of contactless payments. While online acceptance of digital IDs is expected to be more rapid, in-person use cases will take longer to develop due to the need for hardware upgrades, staff education and potential legislative changes.
\nInteroperability is another fundamental aspect of digital ID adoption. As Stapelberg explained, identity is a global use case, and digital IDs must be able to function across borders just as physical IDs do today. This requires collaboration among various stakeholders to build solutions that are universally accessible and interoperable.
\nGoogle\u2019s approach has been to ensure that its digital ID solutions are available on a wide range of devices, from high-end smartphones to more moderately priced ones. This inclusivity is essential for making digital IDs accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic status or the devices they use.
\nStapelberg also expressed optimism around the potential of digital IDs to streamline processes in the financial sector, particularly in areas like customer onboarding, know your customer (KYC) requirements and fraud prevention.
\nHe noted that digital IDs could simplify these processes by allowing users to reuse verified IDs stored in their digital wallets, reducing friction and increasing trust between users and merchants.
\nLooking ahead, the future possibilities of digital wallets are difficult to overstate.
\n\u201cDigital wallets started with a focus on payments but have become much more than that today \u2026 we\u2019re looking at ways to give people a completely, truly, digital wallet and make these experiences even better,\u201d Stapelberg said.
\nThe post Google: Digital IDs Shift Digital Wallets Beyond Payments and Passes appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "First, digital wallets came for paper cash, credit cards and the leather billfold.\nNow, as they become more prevalent across end-users\u2019 daily lives, gaining traction as a convenient and secure way to store and use things like event tickets, transit cards and loyalty programs, a new dimension of their utility is beginning to emerge: digital IDs.\nHowever, the digital ID ecosystem is still in its infancy, with several hurdles to overcome before digital IDs can replace physical ones entirely.\n\u201cWhen it comes to being able to digitize and save these IDs, and of course to use them, the first and most critical thing to establish are sound and complete standards,\u201d Alan Stapelberg, group product manager at Google Wallet, told PYMNTS.\n\u201cBeing able to use your digital identity requires the interaction of two parties, and standards help the interoperability between these devices, particularly when these devices are not built or provided by the same party,\u201d Stapelberg said.\nHe highlighted Google\u2019s recent efforts in this area, including the recent integration of California driver\u2019s licenses. These milestones represent significant steps forward in the broader adoption of digital IDs.\nRead more: What\u2019s in Gen Z\u2019s Mobile Wallet?\nWhat It Will Take to Grow and Scale Digital ID Adoption\nStill, recent PYMNTS Intelligence data shows that while some people are using digital wallets to store IDs, not many (about 8%) are actively using them.\nIn order to spur greater usage, Stapelberg reemphasized the importance of standards like ISO 18013-5, which Google Wallet currently uses to convey IDs to TSA readers. These standards enable various parties to develop solutions that work together seamlessly, regardless of the devices involved.\nHe added that Google has been active in working with standards bodies like the ISO and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to support the development and adoption of these programs. As digital IDs become more common, the need for such collaboration across the industry will only grow.\nAnother significant challenge is the supply-and-demand dynamic inherent in the adoption of digital IDs.\nOn the supply side, trusted issuers like state DMVs and government agencies need to digitize and provide these IDs. On the demand side, users need compelling reasons to adopt and use digital IDs, which requires creating use cases that offer convenience, flexibility and enhanced security.\n\u201cOnce you have an ID, you need to be able to establish parties that can accept them,\u201d Stapelberg said.\nCurrently, Google Wallet is live with digital IDs in five U.S. states, including California. Stapelberg pointed out that digital IDs offer several advantages over physical IDs, particularly in terms of privacy and security. For instance, digital IDs allow for selective disclosure, meaning that only the necessary information is shared with other parties. This feature is particularly beneficial in scenarios like purchasing alcohol, where only proof of age is required, rather than the entire set of personal information typically found on a driver\u2019s license.\n\u201cStandards have done a great job to bring in and build a privacy centric narrative into the design and solution of IDs,\u201d Stapelberg said.\nHe added that government-issued digital IDs in Google Wallet are encrypted end-to-end, ensuring that personal information remains private and secure, even if a user\u2019s phone is lost or stolen. This level of security makes digital IDs not only a viable alternative but potentially a safer option than physical IDs.\nSee also: Digital Wallets Beyond Financial Transactions: A Global Perspective\nThe Future of Digital Wallets on the Global Stage \nScaling the adoption of digital IDs presents several challenges, similar to those faced during the early days of contactless payments. While online acceptance of digital IDs is expected to be more rapid, in-person use cases will take longer to develop due to the need for hardware upgrades, staff education and potential legislative changes.\nInteroperability is another fundamental aspect of digital ID adoption. As Stapelberg explained, identity is a global use case, and digital IDs must be able to function across borders just as physical IDs do today. This requires collaboration among various stakeholders to build solutions that are universally accessible and interoperable.\nGoogle\u2019s approach has been to ensure that its digital ID solutions are available on a wide range of devices, from high-end smartphones to more moderately priced ones. This inclusivity is essential for making digital IDs accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic status or the devices they use.\nStapelberg also expressed optimism around the potential of digital IDs to streamline processes in the financial sector, particularly in areas like customer onboarding, know your customer (KYC) requirements and fraud prevention.\nHe noted that digital IDs could simplify these processes by allowing users to reuse verified IDs stored in their digital wallets, reducing friction and increasing trust between users and merchants.\nLooking ahead, the future possibilities of digital wallets are difficult to overstate.\n\u201cDigital wallets started with a focus on payments but have become much more than that today \u2026 we\u2019re looking at ways to give people a completely, truly, digital wallet and make these experiences even better,\u201d Stapelberg said.\nThe post Google: Digital IDs Shift Digital Wallets Beyond Payments and Passes appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-09-12T04:03:55-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-09-11T21:12:11-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Google-digital-wallet-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Alan Stapelberg", "digital ID", "digital identity", "Digital Payments", "digital transformation", "digital wallets", "Featured News", "Google", "Google Wallet", "ISO", "News", "PYMNTS News", "pymnts tv", "Technology", "video", "World Wide Web Consortium" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2095175", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/uks-cma-says-googles-ad-tech-practices-may-violate-competition-law/", "title": "UK\u2019s CMA\u00a0Says Google\u2019s Ad Tech Practices May Violate Competition Law", "content_html": "The United Kingdom\u2019s\u00a0Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Friday (Sept. 6) that it has found that Google may have harmed competition by using its dominance in online display advertising to favor its own ad technology services.
\nThe regulator added that it will accept comments on this \u201cstatement of objections\u201d before deciding whether the company has violated competition law, according to an\u00a0update on the investigation that was posted Friday.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve provisionally found that Google is using its market power to hinder competition when it comes to the ads people see on websites,\u201d\u00a0Juliette Enser, interim executive director of enforcement at the CMA, said in a Friday\u00a0press release.
\nGoogle did not immediately reply to PYMNTS\u2019 request for comment.
\nIn a statement provided to the Wall Street Journal, Google Vice President of Global Ads\u00a0Dan Taylor said the company\u2019s advertising technology tools help publishers fund their content and enable businesses to reach potential customers.
\n\u201cGoogle remains committed to creating value for our publisher and advertiser partners in this highly competitive sector,\u201d Taylor said, per the WSJ\u00a0report.
\nThe CMA opened its investigation focusing on Google\u2019s ad tech stack in May 2022 and then combined it with a separate investigation into the company\u2019s header bidding services in March 2023, according to the update.
\nThe regulator\u2019s investigation so far has provisionally found that the \u201cvast majority\u201d of publishers and advertisers use Google\u2019s ad tech services to bid for and sell advertising space, that Google may be using its dominance in the sector to give preference to its own services, and that the company may disadvantage competitors, per the update.
\nEnser said in the press release that many businesses are able to\u00a0offer free or lower-priced content by generating revenue with advertising and that these advertisements assist the buying and selling of goods and services by reaching millions of people in the U.K.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s so important that publishers and advertisers \u2014 who enable this free content \u2014 can benefit from effective competition and get a fair deal when buying or selling digital advertising space,\u201d Enser said in the release.
\nThe CMA plans to accept comment\u00a0on its statement of objections from December through March 2025 and to consider these comments from April 2025 through December 2025, according to the update.
\nGoogle\u2019s\u00a0ad tech\u00a0business also faces a challenge in the United States, where the\u00a0Department of Justice (DOJ) and a coalition of states are pursuing an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the company keeps competitors out of advertising technology markets and harms news publishers. This trial is set to begin Monday (Sept. 9) in Alexandria, Virginia.
\nThe post UK\u2019s CMA\u00a0Says Google\u2019s Ad Tech Practices May Violate Competition Law appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "The United Kingdom\u2019s\u00a0Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Friday (Sept. 6) that it has found that Google may have harmed competition by using its dominance in online display advertising to favor its own ad technology services.\nThe regulator added that it will accept comments on this \u201cstatement of objections\u201d before deciding whether the company has violated competition law, according to an\u00a0update on the investigation that was posted Friday.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve provisionally found that Google is using its market power to hinder competition when it comes to the ads people see on websites,\u201d\u00a0Juliette Enser, interim executive director of enforcement at the CMA, said in a Friday\u00a0press release.\nGoogle did not immediately reply to PYMNTS\u2019 request for comment.\nIn a statement provided to the Wall Street Journal, Google Vice President of Global Ads\u00a0Dan Taylor said the company\u2019s advertising technology tools help publishers fund their content and enable businesses to reach potential customers.\n\u201cGoogle remains committed to creating value for our publisher and advertiser partners in this highly competitive sector,\u201d Taylor said, per the WSJ\u00a0report.\nThe CMA opened its investigation focusing on Google\u2019s ad tech stack in May 2022 and then combined it with a separate investigation into the company\u2019s header bidding services in March 2023, according to the update.\nThe regulator\u2019s investigation so far has provisionally found that the \u201cvast majority\u201d of publishers and advertisers use Google\u2019s ad tech services to bid for and sell advertising space, that Google may be using its dominance in the sector to give preference to its own services, and that the company may disadvantage competitors, per the update.\nEnser said in the press release that many businesses are able to\u00a0offer free or lower-priced content by generating revenue with advertising and that these advertisements assist the buying and selling of goods and services by reaching millions of people in the U.K.\n\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s so important that publishers and advertisers \u2014 who enable this free content \u2014 can benefit from effective competition and get a fair deal when buying or selling digital advertising space,\u201d Enser said in the release.\nThe CMA plans to accept comment\u00a0on its statement of objections from December through March 2025 and to consider these comments from April 2025 through December 2025, according to the update.\nGoogle\u2019s\u00a0ad tech\u00a0business also faces a challenge in the United States, where the\u00a0Department of Justice (DOJ) and a coalition of states are pursuing an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the company keeps competitors out of advertising technology markets and harms news publishers. This trial is set to begin Monday (Sept. 9) in Alexandria, Virginia.\nThe post UK\u2019s CMA\u00a0Says Google\u2019s Ad Tech Practices May Violate Competition Law appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-09-06T11:37:01-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-09-06T11:37:01-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Google-UK-CMA-advertising.jpg", "tags": [ "advertising", "Anticompetitive", "Antitrust", "Big Tech", "cma", "Competition and Markets Authority", "EMEA", "Google", "international", "News", "PYMNTS News", "regulations", "Technology", "uk", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2079202", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-expands-payments-partnership-with-indias-upi/", "title": "Google Expands Payments Partnership With India\u2019s UPI", "content_html": "Google Pay has introduced several new offerings via India\u2019s United Payments Interface (UPI).
\nThe tech giant announced the new features on its blog last week at the conclusion of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, saying they would help \u201cbring ease, convenience and simplicity to the way India interacts with payments and finance.\u201d
\nAmong the things being introduced is UPI Circle on Google Pay, designed to help users\u2019 loved ones make digital payments without having to link their own bank accounts.
\n\u201cWhile UPI has undeniably simplified digital transactions for millions, there\u2019s still a segment of the population that relies on cash and/or is hesitant to use UPI, due to various reasons, including limited access to banking services,\u201d the blog post said.
\nUPI users on Google Pay can add friends or family members as\u00a0 \u201csecondary\u201d users to their UPI Circle, with the option of approving each payment, or letting the secondary users make payments independently within a set financial limit.
\nGoogle also announced an expansion of the UPI voucher program, letting users make digital payments by giving them a prepaid voucher tied to their mobile number.\u00a0
\n\u201cBeneficiaries of these vouchers will be able to use any supporting UPI app including Google Pay to pay for all their supported merchant transactions without even linking their bank account on UPI,\u201d the blog post said. \u201cInitially introduced for COVID-19 vaccination payments, UPI Vouchers has now evolved into a versatile payment solution for various sectors.\u201d
\nMeanwhile, Google, in conjunction with NPCI Bharat Billpay, has rolled out support for ClickPay QR on the Google Pay app, letting users pay bills on Google Pay by simply scanning a ClickPay QR, without needing to remember bill account details or lengthy consumer IDs.
\nGoogle opened its digital wallet to users in India \u2014 the world\u2019s most populous country \u2014 in May, with a focus on \u201clocalized experiences.\u201d
\n\u201cTo start, we\u2019ve partnered with over 20 of India\u2019s top brands, offering one of the widest ranges of partners for any digital wallet in India,\u201d the company wrote on its blog. \u201cWe look forward to adding more partners soon.\u201d
\nAnd earlier in the year, the company announced it was working with the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) to expand the use of UPI beyond India\u2019s borders, and to establish similar digital payment systems in other countries, and to use the UPI infrastructure to simplify remittances between nations.
\nThe post Google Expands Payments Partnership With India’s UPI appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google Pay has introduced several new offerings via India\u2019s United Payments Interface (UPI).\nThe tech giant announced the new features on its blog last week at the conclusion of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, saying they would help \u201cbring ease, convenience and simplicity to the way India interacts with payments and finance.\u201d\nAmong the things being introduced is UPI Circle on Google Pay, designed to help users\u2019 loved ones make digital payments without having to link their own bank accounts.\n\u201cWhile UPI has undeniably simplified digital transactions for millions, there\u2019s still a segment of the population that relies on cash and/or is hesitant to use UPI, due to various reasons, including limited access to banking services,\u201d the blog post said.\nUPI users on Google Pay can add friends or family members as\u00a0 \u201csecondary\u201d users to their UPI Circle, with the option of approving each payment, or letting the secondary users make payments independently within a set financial limit.\nGoogle also announced an expansion of the UPI voucher program, letting users make digital payments by giving them a prepaid voucher tied to their mobile number.\u00a0\n\u201cBeneficiaries of these vouchers will be able to use any supporting UPI app including Google Pay to pay for all their supported merchant transactions without even linking their bank account on UPI,\u201d the blog post said. \u201cInitially introduced for COVID-19 vaccination payments, UPI Vouchers has now evolved into a versatile payment solution for various sectors.\u201d\nMeanwhile, Google, in conjunction with NPCI Bharat Billpay, has rolled out support for ClickPay QR on the Google Pay app, letting users pay bills on Google Pay by simply scanning a ClickPay QR, without needing to remember bill account details or lengthy consumer IDs.\nGoogle opened its digital wallet to users in India \u2014 the world\u2019s most populous country \u2014 in May, with a focus on \u201clocalized experiences.\u201d\n\u201cTo start, we\u2019ve partnered with over 20 of India\u2019s top brands, offering one of the widest ranges of partners for any digital wallet in India,\u201d the company wrote on its blog. \u201cWe look forward to adding more partners soon.\u201d\nAnd earlier in the year, the company announced it was working with the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) to expand the use of UPI beyond India\u2019s borders, and to establish similar digital payment systems in other countries, and to use the UPI infrastructure to simplify remittances between nations.\nThe post Google Expands Payments Partnership With India’s UPI appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-09-02T20:59:20-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-09-02T21:00:44-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Google-Pay-India.jpg", "tags": [ "Digital Payments", "Google", "Google India", "Google Pay", "india", "National Payment Corp of India", "News", "NPCI", "PYMNTS News", "United Payments Interface", "UPI", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2064684", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-add-artificial-intelligence-powered-insights-reports-merchant-center/", "title": "Google to Add AI-Powered Insights and Reports to Merchant Center", "content_html": "Google will roll out new artificial intelligence-powered tools in its Merchant Center in time to help retailers sell during the holiday season.
\nThe tools include new insights and shopping ads updates, the company said in a preview of a Tuesday (Aug. 27) blog post emailed to PYMNTS.
\n\u201cWith new Merchant Center insights tools this year, brands that can stay agile and turn data into decisions will make the most of the shorter holiday shopping season,\u201d Google said in the post, noting that Black Friday falls five days later this year than last year.
\nOne of the new tools will show popular shopping queries, ranked by popularity and organized by topic and product, to help Merchant Center users uncover shopping trends, according to the post. This tool will be launched globally in the coming weeks.
\n\u201cThis means you can jump on viral moments, make better-informed inventory decisions and ensure your product descriptions use the same terms shoppers are,\u201d the post said.
\nAnother new tool will show summaries of recent product performance at the top of the analytics tab and will answer retailers\u2019 specific questions about their product data with new custom reports, per the post. This tool will be available in the United States.
\n\u201cThis tool uses generative AI to translate a user\u2019s request into a custom report that highlights their own performance data,\u201d the post said. \u201cThis means you can skip the process of building custom reports manually when you need something more tailored.\u201d
\nA new third tool will automatically sync in-store availability information from retailers\u2019 websites and integrate it into the Merchant Center to display store details in their Google ads, according to the post.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s less manual work for you and a more convenient, up-to-date shopping experience for your customers,\u201d the post said.
\nGoogle said in July that it would move all retailers to a new, AI-driven version of its Merchant Center in time to start benefiting from the updates before the holiday shopping season.
\nEarlier updates to the Merchant Center included the introduction of visual brand profiles on Google Search and the addition of enhancements to its AI-powered content creation platform, Product Studio.
\nFor all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter.
\nThe post Google to Add AI-Powered Insights and Reports to Merchant Center appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google will roll out new artificial intelligence-powered tools in its Merchant Center in time to help retailers sell during the holiday season.\nThe tools include new insights and shopping ads updates, the company said in a preview of a Tuesday (Aug. 27) blog post emailed to PYMNTS.\n\u201cWith new Merchant Center insights tools this year, brands that can stay agile and turn data into decisions will make the most of the shorter holiday shopping season,\u201d Google said in the post, noting that Black Friday falls five days later this year than last year.\nOne of the new tools will show popular shopping queries, ranked by popularity and organized by topic and product, to help Merchant Center users uncover shopping trends, according to the post. This tool will be launched globally in the coming weeks.\n\u201cThis means you can jump on viral moments, make better-informed inventory decisions and ensure your product descriptions use the same terms shoppers are,\u201d the post said.\nAnother new tool will show summaries of recent product performance at the top of the analytics tab and will answer retailers\u2019 specific questions about their product data with new custom reports, per the post. This tool will be available in the United States.\n\u201cThis tool uses generative AI to translate a user\u2019s request into a custom report that highlights their own performance data,\u201d the post said. \u201cThis means you can skip the process of building custom reports manually when you need something more tailored.\u201d\nA new third tool will automatically sync in-store availability information from retailers\u2019 websites and integrate it into the Merchant Center to display store details in their Google ads, according to the post.\n\u201cIt\u2019s less manual work for you and a more convenient, up-to-date shopping experience for your customers,\u201d the post said.\nGoogle said in July that it would move all retailers to a new, AI-driven version of its Merchant Center in time to start benefiting from the updates before the holiday shopping season.\nEarlier updates to the Merchant Center included the introduction of visual brand profiles on Google Search and the addition of enhancements to its AI-powered content creation platform, Product Studio.\nFor all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter.\nThe post Google to Add AI-Powered Insights and Reports to Merchant Center appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-27T09:00:23-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-27T08:19:55-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Google.jpg", "tags": [ "artificial intelligence", "ecommerce", "GenAI", "Google", "holidays", "Innovation", "Merchant Center", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "Technology", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2061671", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-antitrust-ruling-sparks-debate-among-online-publishers-and-seo-experts/", "title": "Google Antitrust Ruling Sparks Debate Among Online Publishers and SEO Experts", "content_html": "After a landmark antitrust ruling against Google, online publications face a pivotal decision: whether to allow the tech giant to use their content for AI-generated search answers. The court\u2019s decision thrust publishers into this choice, which could reshape the digital content landscape and the economics of online publishing.
\nThe recent federal court decision, which found Google\u2019s search engine dominance an illegal monopoly, has significant implications for the digital publishing world. While some see challenges ahead and others view the ruling as an opportunity, opinions vary on how publishers should navigate this new landscape.
\n\u201cPublications must weigh the short-term benefits of Google search visibility against the long-term risks of AI eroding their business,\u201d Marshal Davis, president of Ascendly Marketing, told PYMNTS. \u201cOne approach is to selectively allow AI usage for certain types of content, like news summaries or listicles, while restricting it for in-depth analysis and opinion pieces that are core to their value proposition.\u201d
\nEarlier this month, Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a nearly 300-page opinion in the U.S. Department of Justice\u2019s case challenging Google\u2019s alleged dominance in online search markets. The ruling concluded that Google possessed monopoly power in the \u201cgeneral search\u201d and \u201cgeneral search text advertising\u201d markets and violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
\nGoogle\u2019s agreements with major original equipment manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung and Verizon were at the heart of the case. These deals made Google the exclusive default search engine on smartphones and web browsers, and the court deemed them to be de facto exclusive-dealing agreements that unlawfully maintained Google\u2019s monopoly status.
\nBogdan Krstic, founder of Krstic SEO, offered a more optimistic view: \u201cSmall publishers should actually be excited about this lawsuit,\u201d he told PYMNTS. \u201cIf Google is indeed broken down, it will allow for more competition in the search engine space between the already-existing giants like Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google, in addition to the new players like Open AI.\u201d
\nAccording to Krstic, emerging opportunities are already visible.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re already seeing Open AI, more specifically Search GPT, making moves to attract publishers by offering them rev share and other types of deals,\u201d he said. This could be particularly beneficial for smaller publishers who have historically struggled against larger, more authoritative websites in search results.
\nDespite the ruling, some industry veterans believe Google\u2019s dominance will continue to shape SEO strategies.
\n\u201cThough the recent landmark ruling against Google\u2019s monopoly seems like it may shake up the status quo, there is one thing that remains certain: Google is king and has dominated search since the year 2000,\u201d Solomon Wiesen, head of strategy at Reputation Citadel, told PYMNTS. \u201cAny AI expert who recommends to online publications to shun Google will be leading their clients astray and miss out on potential exposure \u2014 and in this case, being listed as a source for AI content.\u201d
\nThe implications of Google\u2019s AI use extend beyond individual publications. Davis warned of potential industry-wide effects.
\n\u201cIt could accelerate the ongoing consolidation of the online media industry,\u201d Davis said. \u201cSmaller publishers may struggle to survive if AI siphons away search traffic and ad dollars, leading to acquisitions by larger media companies or widespread shutdowns.\u201d
\nYet Krstic said he sees signs of positive change already underway: \u201cThe recent Google update has already been made to help small publishers get more exposure, causing some websites to see increases in their traffic. My clients and I are excited for the future, and so should you be.\u201d
\nThe ruling may present an opportunity for publishers to negotiate better terms.
\n\u201cThe monopoly ruling may give publishers a rare opportunity to reset the power dynamic with Google and secure more favorable AI usage agreements,\u201d Davis said. \u201cPublications should band together, potentially through trade associations, to increase their collective bargaining power and establish industry-wide standards for content usage.\u201d
\nAs the situation unfolds, online publishers must carefully consider their strategies for content distribution and monetization.
\n\u201cPublications should also invest in building direct audience relationships through newsletters, apps and subscriptions to reduce reliance on search traffic,\u201d Davis said, emphasizing the importance of diversification.
\nThe case is far from over, and the issue of remedies has yet to be addressed. Potential remedies could range from prohibiting Google from entering into exclusive agreements for default search engine status to more drastic measures such as requiring Google to share its data or code with competitors, or even ordering a breakup of the company.
\nGoogle has announced its intention to appeal the ruling, though the timing and scope of that appeal are still unclear. This means that the full impact of the decision on both Google and the broader tech and publishing industries may not be known for several years.
\nThe decisions made in response to this ruling could have far-reaching consequences for the future of online content creation, distribution and the economic models that sustain digital publishing. As the industry adapts to these changes, the diversity of voices in the digital space and the balance of power between tech giants and content creators will be in question.
\n\u201cSEO folks understand that they must feed the beast \u2014 give Google the content it is seeking and become rewarded with additional exposure by being listed as a source for the AI content,\u201d Wiesen said, underscoring the enduring influence of the search giant in shaping online content strategies.
\nThe post Google Antitrust Ruling Sparks Debate Among Online Publishers and SEO Experts appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "After a landmark antitrust ruling against Google, online publications face a pivotal decision: whether to allow the tech giant to use their content for AI-generated search answers. The court\u2019s decision thrust publishers into this choice, which could reshape the digital content landscape and the economics of online publishing.\nThe recent federal court decision, which found Google\u2019s search engine dominance an illegal monopoly, has significant implications for the digital publishing world. While some see challenges ahead and others view the ruling as an opportunity, opinions vary on how publishers should navigate this new landscape.\n\u201cPublications must weigh the short-term benefits of Google search visibility against the long-term risks of AI eroding their business,\u201d Marshal Davis, president of Ascendly Marketing, told PYMNTS. \u201cOne approach is to selectively allow AI usage for certain types of content, like news summaries or listicles, while restricting it for in-depth analysis and opinion pieces that are core to their value proposition.\u201d\nBalancing Act for Publishers\nEarlier this month, Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a nearly 300-page opinion in the U.S. Department of Justice\u2019s case challenging Google\u2019s alleged dominance in online search markets. The ruling concluded that Google possessed monopoly power in the \u201cgeneral search\u201d and \u201cgeneral search text advertising\u201d markets and violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act.\nGoogle\u2019s agreements with major original equipment manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung and Verizon were at the heart of the case. These deals made Google the exclusive default search engine on smartphones and web browsers, and the court deemed them to be de facto exclusive-dealing agreements that unlawfully maintained Google\u2019s monopoly status.\nBogdan Krstic, founder of Krstic SEO, offered a more optimistic view: \u201cSmall publishers should actually be excited about this lawsuit,\u201d he told PYMNTS. \u201cIf Google is indeed broken down, it will allow for more competition in the search engine space between the already-existing giants like Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google, in addition to the new players like Open AI.\u201d\nAccording to Krstic, emerging opportunities are already visible.\n\u201cWe\u2019re already seeing Open AI, more specifically Search GPT, making moves to attract publishers by offering them rev share and other types of deals,\u201d he said. This could be particularly beneficial for smaller publishers who have historically struggled against larger, more authoritative websites in search results.\nGoogle\u2019s Enduring Influence\nDespite the ruling, some industry veterans believe Google\u2019s dominance will continue to shape SEO strategies.\n\u201cThough the recent landmark ruling against Google\u2019s monopoly seems like it may shake up the status quo, there is one thing that remains certain: Google is king and has dominated search since the year 2000,\u201d Solomon Wiesen, head of strategy at Reputation Citadel, told PYMNTS. \u201cAny AI expert who recommends to online publications to shun Google will be leading their clients astray and miss out on potential exposure \u2014 and in this case, being listed as a source for AI content.\u201d\nThe implications of Google\u2019s AI use extend beyond individual publications. Davis warned of potential industry-wide effects.\n\u201cIt could accelerate the ongoing consolidation of the online media industry,\u201d Davis said. \u201cSmaller publishers may struggle to survive if AI siphons away search traffic and ad dollars, leading to acquisitions by larger media companies or widespread shutdowns.\u201d\nYet Krstic said he sees signs of positive change already underway: \u201cThe recent Google update has already been made to help small publishers get more exposure, causing some websites to see increases in their traffic. My clients and I are excited for the future, and so should you be.\u201d\nThe ruling may present an opportunity for publishers to negotiate better terms.\n\u201cThe monopoly ruling may give publishers a rare opportunity to reset the power dynamic with Google and secure more favorable AI usage agreements,\u201d Davis said. \u201cPublications should band together, potentially through trade associations, to increase their collective bargaining power and establish industry-wide standards for content usage.\u201d\nAs the situation unfolds, online publishers must carefully consider their strategies for content distribution and monetization.\n\u201cPublications should also invest in building direct audience relationships through newsletters, apps and subscriptions to reduce reliance on search traffic,\u201d Davis said, emphasizing the importance of diversification.\nThe case is far from over, and the issue of remedies has yet to be addressed. Potential remedies could range from prohibiting Google from entering into exclusive agreements for default search engine status to more drastic measures such as requiring Google to share its data or code with competitors, or even ordering a breakup of the company.\nGoogle has announced its intention to appeal the ruling, though the timing and scope of that appeal are still unclear. This means that the full impact of the decision on both Google and the broader tech and publishing industries may not be known for several years.\nThe decisions made in response to this ruling could have far-reaching consequences for the future of online content creation, distribution and the economic models that sustain digital publishing. As the industry adapts to these changes, the diversity of voices in the digital space and the balance of power between tech giants and content creators will be in question.\n\u201cSEO folks understand that they must feed the beast \u2014 give Google the content it is seeking and become rewarded with additional exposure by being listed as a source for the AI content,\u201d Wiesen said, underscoring the enduring influence of the search giant in shaping online content strategies.\nThe post Google Antitrust Ruling Sparks Debate Among Online Publishers and SEO Experts appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-21T14:49:05-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-21T14:49:05-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Google-ruling.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "Antitrust", "artificial intelligence", "digital publication", "GenAI", "generative AI", "Google", "Lawsuits", "legal", "News", "PYMNTS News", "search engine optimization", "search engines", "seo" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2053175", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-updates-ai-overviews-with-more-prominent-links-expanded-availability/", "title": "Google Updates AI Overviews With More Prominent Links, Expanded Availability", "content_html": "Google has made some updates to AI Overviews, displaying relevant links more prominently and expanding the feature to six more countries.
\nThese changes will make it easier for users to discover content from publishers, businesses and creators, the company said in a Thursday (Aug. 15) blog post.
\nAI Overviews \u2014 which was launched in the United States in May and provides an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated summary of information from several sources along with search results \u2014 now includes a new link display that provides users with another way to find relevant websites while they search, according to the post.
\nThis is offered in the form of a right-hand link display for AI Overviews on desktop and site icons on mobile, the post said.
\nGoogle is also testing the addition of links directly within the text of AI Overviews, per the post.
\n\u201cWith AI Overviews, we\u2019re seeing that people have been visiting a greater diversity of websites for help with more complex questions,\u201d Hema Budaraju, senior director of product management, search at Google, said in the post. \u201cAnd when people click from search result pages with AI Overviews, these clicks are higher quality for websites \u2014 meaning users are more likely to spend more time on the sites they visit.\u201d
\nIt was reported in May that publishers and content creators who rely on search engine traffic for revenue were concerned that AI Overviews could adversely affect the ecosystem of online content creation and dissemination.
\nDanielle Coffey, president and CEO of the News/Media Alliance, a nonprofit representing more than 2,200 publishers, said at the time that the introduction of AI-generated summaries could significantly diminish the amount of traffic going to publishers\u2019 websites.
\nThe rollout of AI Overviews also sent shockwaves through the eCommerce industry, prompting online retailers to reevaluate their search engine visibility strategies.
\nWithin weeks of its launch of AI Overviews, Google found that the feature was generating some \u201codd results\u201d and made more than a dozen technical improvements to solve those problems, the company said in a May 30 blog post.
\nGoogle also announced in the Thursday blog post that it will expand the availability of AI Overviews to six more countries \u2014 the United Kingdom, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil \u2014 with local language support.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ll be rolling this expansion out gradually over the course of several weeks, with a focus on maintaining Search\u2019s high bar for information quality,\u201d Budaraju said in the post. \u201cThrough our testing in these markets, we\u2019ve found that people prefer using Search with AI Overviews, and they find their search results more helpful.\u201d
\nThe post Google Updates AI Overviews With More Prominent Links, Expanded Availability appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google has made some updates to AI Overviews, displaying relevant links more prominently and expanding the feature to six more countries.\nThese changes will make it easier for users to discover content from publishers, businesses and creators, the company said in a Thursday (Aug. 15) blog post.\nAI Overviews \u2014 which was launched in the United States in May and provides an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated summary of information from several sources along with search results \u2014 now includes a new link display that provides users with another way to find relevant websites while they search, according to the post.\nThis is offered in the form of a right-hand link display for AI Overviews on desktop and site icons on mobile, the post said.\nGoogle is also testing the addition of links directly within the text of AI Overviews, per the post.\n\u201cWith AI Overviews, we\u2019re seeing that people have been visiting a greater diversity of websites for help with more complex questions,\u201d Hema Budaraju, senior director of product management, search at Google, said in the post. \u201cAnd when people click from search result pages with AI Overviews, these clicks are higher quality for websites \u2014 meaning users are more likely to spend more time on the sites they visit.\u201d\nIt was reported in May that publishers and content creators who rely on search engine traffic for revenue were concerned that AI Overviews could adversely affect the ecosystem of online content creation and dissemination.\nDanielle Coffey, president and CEO of the News/Media Alliance, a nonprofit representing more than 2,200 publishers, said at the time that the introduction of AI-generated summaries could significantly diminish the amount of traffic going to publishers\u2019 websites.\nThe rollout of AI Overviews also sent shockwaves through the eCommerce industry, prompting online retailers to reevaluate their search engine visibility strategies.\nWithin weeks of its launch of AI Overviews, Google found that the feature was generating some \u201codd results\u201d and made more than a dozen technical improvements to solve those problems, the company said in a May 30 blog post.\nGoogle also announced in the Thursday blog post that it will expand the availability of AI Overviews to six more countries \u2014 the United Kingdom, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil \u2014 with local language support.\n\u201cWe\u2019ll be rolling this expansion out gradually over the course of several weeks, with a focus on maintaining Search\u2019s high bar for information quality,\u201d Budaraju said in the post. \u201cThrough our testing in these markets, we\u2019ve found that people prefer using Search with AI Overviews, and they find their search results more helpful.\u201d\nThe post Google Updates AI Overviews With More Prominent Links, Expanded Availability appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-15T11:48:12-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-15T11:48:12-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Google-AI-overviews-1.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "AI Overviews", "artificial intelligence", "Google", "Google AI Overviews", "international", "News", "PYMNTS News", "search engines", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2051985", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/google/2024/google-unveils-new-gemini-live-ai-powered-assistant-for-mobile-devices/", "title": "Google Unveils New Gemini Live AI-Powered Assistant for Mobile Devices", "content_html": "Google unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant for use on mobile devices.
\nThe new Gemini Live became available in English to\u00a0Gemini Advanced subscribers on Android phones on Tuesday (Aug. 13)\u00a0and will be expanded to iOS devices and more languages in the coming weeks, the company said in a Tuesday blog post.
\n\u201cGemini Live is a mobile conversational experience that lets you have free-flowing conversations with Gemini,\u201d\u00a0Sissie Hsaio, vice president and general manager, Gemini experiences and Google Assistant, said in the post.
\nWith this AI\u00a0assistant, users can interrupt in mid-sentence to ask for additional details, pause a conversation and come back to it later, and keep talking with it in the background or when the phone is locked, Hsaio added.
\nGoogle will also make Gemini connect with more Google apps and tools, according to the post. The company will launch extensions for Keep, Tasks, Utilities, Calendar\u00a0and expanded features on YouTube Music in the coming weeks.
\nBecause Gemini is fully integrated into Android, users can access it at any time, no matter what else they\u2019re\u00a0doing on their phone, per the post. It can also read the screen and interact with apps like Gmail and Google Messages.
\nWith the user\u2019s permission, Gemini can access their relevant personal data and add it to its own knowledge in order to\u00a0provide the help the user needs, Google said in another Tuesday\u00a0blog post.
\n\u201cFor example, Gemini can help create a daily workout routine based on your personal trainer\u2019s email, or\u00a0use your resume in Google Drive to write a work bio,\u201d\u00a0Sameer Samat, president, Android Ecosystem, said in the post. \u201cOnly Gemini can do all of this with a secure, all-in-one approach that doesn\u2019t require hand-off to a third-party AI provider you may not know or trust.\u201d
\nIt was reported Monday (Aug. 12) that\u00a0generative AI features have created an opportunity for tech companies to boost consumer interest in smartphones and encourage them to update their devices more frequently.
\nIn addition, with its latest Pixel smartphones, Google is making a more aggressive push into the consumer device market, Bloomberg\u00a0reported.
\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0Digital Transformation Newsletter.
\nThe post Google Unveils New Gemini Live AI-Powered Assistant for Mobile Devices appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Google unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant for use on mobile devices.\nThe new Gemini Live became available in English to\u00a0Gemini Advanced subscribers on Android phones on Tuesday (Aug. 13)\u00a0and will be expanded to iOS devices and more languages in the coming weeks, the company said in a Tuesday blog post.\n\u201cGemini Live is a mobile conversational experience that lets you have free-flowing conversations with Gemini,\u201d\u00a0Sissie Hsaio, vice president and general manager, Gemini experiences and Google Assistant, said in the post.\nWith this AI\u00a0assistant, users can interrupt in mid-sentence to ask for additional details, pause a conversation and come back to it later, and keep talking with it in the background or when the phone is locked, Hsaio added.\nGoogle will also make Gemini connect with more Google apps and tools, according to the post. The company will launch extensions for Keep, Tasks, Utilities, Calendar\u00a0and expanded features on YouTube Music in the coming weeks.\nBecause Gemini is fully integrated into Android, users can access it at any time, no matter what else they\u2019re\u00a0doing on their phone, per the post. It can also read the screen and interact with apps like Gmail and Google Messages.\nWith the user\u2019s permission, Gemini can access their relevant personal data and add it to its own knowledge in order to\u00a0provide the help the user needs, Google said in another Tuesday\u00a0blog post.\n\u201cFor example, Gemini can help create a daily workout routine based on your personal trainer\u2019s email, or\u00a0use your resume in Google Drive to write a work bio,\u201d\u00a0Sameer Samat, president, Android Ecosystem, said in the post. \u201cOnly Gemini can do all of this with a secure, all-in-one approach that doesn\u2019t require hand-off to a third-party AI provider you may not know or trust.\u201d\nIt was reported Monday (Aug. 12) that\u00a0generative AI features have created an opportunity for tech companies to boost consumer interest in smartphones and encourage them to update their devices more frequently.\nIn addition, with its latest Pixel smartphones, Google is making a more aggressive push into the consumer device market, Bloomberg\u00a0reported.\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0Digital Transformation Newsletter.\nThe post Google Unveils New Gemini Live AI-Powered Assistant for Mobile Devices appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-13T15:47:18-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-13T15:48:17-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Google-Gemini-Live.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "AI Assistants", "android", "Apple", "artificial intelligence", "digital transformation", "Gemini", "Gemini Live", "Google", "iPhone", "mobile devices", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Smartphones", "What's Hot" ] } ] }