With the competition heating up in the mobile payment space (Google Wallet vs ISIS), one would think it’s something we’re all clamoring for. But a recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, concludes that Americans are not quite feeling the “pay with your phone” vibe yet. The study, funded by Nokia, surveyed 1,203 adult internet users in the U.S. and found that 74 percent say they do not plan on using a mobile payment system due to privacy concerns.
Other notable findings include:
- 96 percent of respondents are against any system which uses their phones to track them while they shop
- 81 percent object to sharing their phone numbers or home addresses with a retailer during a mobile payment transaction
- 51 percent object to sharing their email address with a retailer during a mobile payment transaction
It’s hard to say whether this study is truly representative of how America feels about mobile payments. Most new smartphones are now coming equipped with NFC chips, and more retailers are beginning to support at least one of the mobile payment services out there, so it’s difficult to believe manufacturers and retailers are preparing for something no one wants. To me, it’s more likely that people may not THINK they want something while answering a survey, but when the service is actually available and marketed properly, they take the plunge. In other words, no one really knows.
Would you use your smartphone as a payment method? Let us know in the comments!
source: social science research network
via: the verge