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Google brings online payment system to UK, challenges eBay
Search engine Google today (April 13th) made its Checkout online payment system available to customers in the UK.The service, which will compete directly with eBay's PayPal system, has already been used by millions of online shoppers in the US. Now it will make online purchases on this side of the Pond far easier for consumers - which is great news for internet advertisers.
Google already deals with search, email, and recently unveiled a new suite of business software to compete directly with Microsoft.
However, Google Checkout is the first time the internet giant has moved to keep watch over bank and credit card information.
The system involves Google holding data centrally, with customers able to purchase from partner retailers that will then access the information from Google. The process makes buying things online a much simpler process, as users don't need to type in their information for each purchase.
"For customers it offers a secure way to make payments online," a Google spokesman told the Times.
"For retailers, it's a way of attracting more visitors and achieving higher sales while keeping processing costs down."
Google News posted on 13 April 2007
