Why It Matters
Something to look forward to: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a US agency focused on protecting consumers in the financial sector, has introduced new regulations aimed at tech companies. With digital payments now a significant part of modern finance, these companies will need to adhere to the same rules as traditional banks and credit unions.
The CFPB has implemented a new rule that grants it enhanced supervisory powers over major players like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. While smaller companies are not affected, larger providers will now be held to standards similar to those of traditional financial institutions.
“Digital payments have evolved from being a novelty to a necessity, and our oversight needs to reflect this reality,” stated CFPB Director Rohit Chopra.
The goal of the new rule is to protect user privacy, combat fraud, and prevent unauthorized account actions. It applies only to companies processing over 50 million transactions annually, which is significantly lower than the estimated 13 billion transactions processed by the most popular apps each year.
Digital payment apps are increasingly competing with traditional payment methods for both in-person and online transactions. These services are particularly popular among middle- and low-income consumers who rely on them for daily essentials like groceries and fund transfers. Payment apps are no longer just an “alternative” to cash but are now essential financial tools, according to the CFPB.
While banks and credit unions have been under CFPB supervision for some time, tech companies have operated outside of this regulatory framework. After monitoring market trends and consumer complaints closely, the agency has decided to expand its oversight to key aspects of the digital payment experience.
The CFPB will now focus on how digital payment services handle user privacy, especially considering the vast amount of personal data collected during transactions. Consumers have the right to dispute incorrect or fraudulent transactions under federal law, a rule that digital apps must now adhere to.
Some popular apps have been designed to shift the responsibility of managing complaints to traditional banks rather than addressing them directly, a practice the agency aims to stop.
Another issue addressed by the new rule is the “debanking” practice common among many payment apps. Tech companies can abruptly close or freeze user accounts without warning, often causing financial distress. The CFPB’s new powers will enable proactive examinations to assess risks and identify potential issues before they escalate.
