Alipay+ transactions triple in 2024 as travel industry embraces cross-border digital payment and marketing technology

Alipay+ transactions triple in 2024 as travel industry embraces cross-border digital payment and marketing technology

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Alipay+, Ant International’s cross-border mobile payment and digitalization solution, revealed three trends shaping the future of tourism to the benefit of global merchants and the industry.

“Tourism’s importance to economic growth makes it essential for the industry to pursue innovation and new partnerships so that more people can benefit,” said Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International. “Our Alipay+ solution has evolved to include cross-border payments, destination marketing and digital lifestyle services, and we have seen significant adoption as more consumers embrace technology to enhance their travel experience. We believe in a collaborative open approach and will work closely with partners across the industry towards a new future of travel.”

1) Travelers prefer their home payment methods to the benefits of merchants abroad

Alipay+ enables travelers to use their familiar home payment app when going abroad. An expanding merchant coverage and a strong travel recovery, Alipay+ has seen a surge in transactions globally. By using Alipay+, cross-border travelers can experience a new country or market and pay like a local.

Alipay for Chinese consumers – and an Alipay+ partner – has been accepted by global merchants starting from 2015, and continues to see steady growth in global transactions.

Alipay+’s mobile payment partners from around the world have also seen significant growth. In the first nine months of 2024, the number of people using an Alipay+ payment partner apps while abroad increased by three times, and the number of transactions increased by more than three times.

As of October 2024, Alipay+ has more than 30 payment partners, including leading e-wallets and bank apps from Asia and beyond, with 1.6 billion consumers, connecting consumers to more than 90 million merchants in 66 markets.

To allow more businesses to benefit from tourism, Alipay+ is continually expanding its merchant coverage, through initiatives such as the national QR schemes that enable inclusive growth at scale, particularly for SMEs. For example, through PayNet’s DuitNow QR in Malaysia, Alipay+ has seen transactions increase on average by 142% per quarter in the first nine months in 2024. This ease of transaction allows travelers to easily visit smaller cities, driving significant growth in areas like Kota Kinabalu, Selangor and Penang.

Travelers are also using their payment apps online for pre-trip bookings. Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), that accept Alipay+ payment partners have seen transactions increase by two times over the same period. Other than through OTAs, Alipay+ is also accepted on other travel platforms including by top airlines, such as Thai Airways, Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia, hotels, attraction sites and more.

2) Travelers spend more, with a shift toward localized experiences

Alipay+ payment partners include top payment apps from across Asia, such as Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia), GCash (the Philippines), KakaoPay, Toss Pay and Naver Pay (South Korea), OCBC (Singapore), TrueMoney (Thailand) and more. Asian travelers are visiting more regional destinations, with the highest number of Alipay+ transactions recorded in the Chinese mainland, Japan, Thailand, Macao SAR and South Korea.

Travel spending habits have also shifted since the Covid pandemic. While travelers are spending more overall, they are spending less on shopping and more on localized experiences. Spending via Alipay+ increasing by 80% on Food & Beverage (F&B) merchants and 50% for attractions. Spending via Alipay+ on transportation such as ride-hailing, taxis and trains have increased by 120%, in line with recent trends to explore destinations more independently.

3) All-in-one payment apps are reshaping travel habits

All-in-one payment apps offering additional services beyond payment have quickly become the go-to technology for Asian travellers. For example, TrueMoney, an Alipay+ payment partner from Thailand, saw its transaction volume through Alipay+ increase over 10-fold since launch. While Asia is the leader in mobile payments, there is also a growing trend for mobile solutions in other regions as seen by the emergence of e-wallets like Tinaba in Italy and interoperable solutions like Bluecode across Europe.

Alipay+’s partner e-wallets and merchants are increasingly leveraging Alipay+ digital tools to enhance the travel experience for users, offering seamless service and engagement for every step of their journey.

Tourism boards and merchants can use A+Rewards, a customizable destination marketing platform, to increase visibility of local attractions, shops and travel information even before a trip starts. In Southeast Asia, where Alipay+ is widely accepted, the number of claimed destination vouchers from A+Rewards increased by 53% across key campaigns in 2024. 

Additionally, merchants can leverage the vast user base of Alipay+ payment partners with customizable digital lifestyle services such as for transport, food, tax refunds and more. A notable example is FREENOW, a leading European taxi service, which launched a mini-program directly within Alipay+ partner apps.

Read More

Philippines Consumer Security Survey Reveals Highest Demand for Mobile App Security in 4 Years

Philippines Consumer Security Survey Reveals Highest Demand for Mobile App Security in 4 Years

Friday, September 27, 2024

Latest Philippines security survey adds the consumer voice; challenging brands to do more to protect end users from AI & social engineering attacks while supporting industry standards like OWASP.

Appdome, the one-stop shop for mobile app defense, today announced the results of its 4th Annual Philippines Consumer Survey of Mobile App Security here at the Rootcon18 Conference. The survey reveals that mobile end users are keenly aware of the growing security, fraud, and privacy threats when they use mobile apps and demand that mobile brands and enterprises step forward to provide real defenses to these threats. The survey reveals a crucial opportunity for mobile brands in the Philippines to stand out by prioritizing mobile app security and creating a better user experience when attacks happen.

To create the 2024 survey, Appdome partnered with the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). The voice of the Filipino consumer was clear – not only do they demand the protections included in the OWASP MAS standard, but the survey data reveals a challenge to the entire mobile industry in the Philippines to improve the state of the art of mobile app protection.

The 2024 Philippines survey data adds to the 120,000+ consumer voices gathered from 12 countries over the past four years, making the Appdome Global Consumer Survey the largest single collection of consumer data on mobile app security, privacy, anti-fraud, and other attack vectors. Mobile applications have taken center stage in consumers’ daily life. Mobile app protection – consisting of mobile app security, malware defense, fraud prevention, and privacy – is now critical to the way consumers choose and use mobile apps, and also critical in whether they choose to stay with and promote a brand.

“Cyber professionals work tirelessly to keep applications, networks, transactions, and users safe while Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other attacks increase,” said Tom Tovar, co-creator and CEO of Appdome. “Filipino consumers continue their march upward in recognizing the importance of this work and it’s clear that they overwhelmingly support a broadening cyber, anti-fraud, anti-malware, anti-bot mandate, and higher OWASP standard, inside brand and enterprise mobile apps everywhere.”

Several upward trends are revealed in the 2024 data, including consumers’ use of mobile apps, their awareness of mobile attack vectors, the growing expectation of protection in apps and consumers’ willingness to be brand advocates if protected. Here are some of the cyber expectations in mobile apps that hit all-time highs in the 2024 Survey:

Mobile vs. Web: 54.7% of Filipino consumers say they use mobile applications more than web, dwarfing preference for online/web at 12.2%. Furthermore, 74.2% say that their use of mobile apps has increased over the last 12 months.

eWallet / Payment apps: 61.6% of Filipinos say they use eWallet / Payments most often, nearly doubling the rate at which global consumers use eWallet / Payment apps (31.7%)

Total Mobile Protection: 97.5% —the highest level ever— of Filipino consumers demand total protection in mobile apps including mobile app data, account integrity, login, data storage, data in transit, and protection from malware and fraud.

Hacking, Fraud, Malware and Social Engineering Scams: 67.6% of Filipino consumers are concerned about hacking while 42.4% fear mobile fraud. A substantial 45.3% have been the victims of cyber-attacks and malware, while 36.4% have encountered social engineering scams.

Fraud Prevention: 87.5% —the highest level ever— of Filipino consumers demand brands proactively prevent mobile fraud from happening rather than reimburse them post-fraud.

Features vs. Security: 91.6% —the highest level ever— of Filipino consumers say that mobile app protection is equally or more important than mobile app features in their decision to use a mobile app, with 98.7% saying they evaluate the security claims of the brand before downloading a mobile app.

Frustrated with Inaction: 30.0% - the highest level ever – of Filipino consumers fear “developers don’t care” about protecting the mobile app. This is 25.0% higher than the global average.

Mobile consumers maintained strong perspectives on these top trends in the 2024 survey: Rewarding Secure Brands: 97.5% —the highest level ever— of respondents state they will become brand advocates for mobile brands that protect their apps and use. More than half (56.4%) said they would use the highest forms of advocacy, such as app store reviews or social media endorsements.

Consequences for Insecure Apps: 76.3% —the highest level ever— of respondents state they would abandon a mobile brand for failing to protect their app and use.

“It’s clear that consumers are taking mobile brand promises and the emerging threat of AI attacks seriously,” said Alan Bavosa, VP of Security Products at Appdome. “AI-based attacks will take mobile app risks to a new level, and mobile brands and enterprises need to change their cyber delivery models to meet the accelerating threat head on and maintain user trust and engagement on mobile platforms.”

To obtain Appdome’s 4th Annual “Philippines Consumer Expectations of Mobile App Security Survey,” please visit the Appdome Consumer Expectations on Mobile App Security survey page.

Read More

AI and IoT: The tools for building a sustainable future in Philippines manufacturing

AI and IoT: The tools for building a sustainable future in Philippines manufacturing

Friday, September 13, 2024

The future of Philippines manufacturing hinges on its ability to embrace sustainability. As climate change intensifies and regulatory landscapes evolve, companies that fail to prioritize Environmental, Sustainability, and Governance (ESG) priorities will face significant risks, from reputational damage to financial penalties. Fujitsu is empowering Philippines manufacturers to not only meet these challenges but to leverage them as opportunities for innovation and growth.

A new generation of manufacturers 

The Philippines manufacturing sector, being a major contributor to environmental impact, leads the charge in this movement. This shift is driven by the urgent need to combat climate change, adapt to regulatory changes, and build a better environment for future generations. Today’s manufacturers are adopting circular economy principles to reduce waste and create new business opportunities through recycling and reusing materials.

“Sustainability for us means driving transformation for our customers while maintaining high efficiency, so we use less resources to achieve better results,” said Randy Escuyos, Head of Wireless Business Unit at Fujitsu Philippines. “We use IoT devices and AI solutions to enable data-driven decision making to help connect the manufacturing process and analyze issues and risks. This enables us to accelerate collaboration, maintain efficiency, and enhance product design and manufacturing, while considering the environmental impact.”

Leading companies locally have made significant investments in promoting sustainable practices within their supply chains, putting emphasis on the importance of responsible sourcing and carbon emission reduction throughout their operations. These efforts collectively underscore the growing importance of sustainability within the manufacturing sector.

However, many companies both locally and abroad struggle to formulate the right ESG strategy that also serves their business goals. Integrating new systems into established workflows can be complex and resource intensive. This means engaging all levels of the organization, from top management to operational staff, to ensure successful implementation. Accurate measurement and transparent reporting are also critical for continuous improvement.

Digital innovation is an enabler for sustainability transformation 

Any organizational transformation, including implementing ESG principles in the manufacturing sector requires changes in people, processes, and technology. To truly transform businesses using digital innovation to bring about positive change in our environment, society and economies, organizations need to change the mindsets of their people and their business processes. 

With this, technology companies have formulated solutions that will help organizations meet their environmental, social and governance goals. Fujitsu believes that data-driven management, which connects leadership with on-the-ground operation, is the key to addressing sustainability transformation challenges. For example, the company has been pioneering a data-driven approach in the Enterprise Resource Planning field and building a strong foundation for effective data use. Fujitsu is now applying its expertise to the ESG field to help create positive social impact.

The company also leverages strategic partnerships to expand its eco-system. "Collaboration is key to achieving ESG goals. By partnering with Cloud and SaaS leaders like SAP, ServiceNow and Microsoft - to name a few, we can co-create solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of the Philippines’ manufacturing sector, driving both environmental and economic benefits,” said Escuyos.

In the Philippines, there is a growing recognition of driving sustainability in business operations. “The first step to develop a successful ESG strategy is to assess the organization’s current ESG practices and identify gaps. Organizations need to set clear, measurable goals and create detailed action plans to achieve them. Implementing a robust risks management and monitoring system is also key to executing a successful ESG strategy,” Escuyos added.

Fujitsu offers comprehensive services that support every stage of the sustainable manufacturing process, from strategy development and execution to data collection and visualization. By providing organizations with tailored solutions, Fujitsu can help organizations navigate their unique ESG challenges and drive meaningful sustainable outcomes.

For more information on Fujitsu’s sustainable manufacturing solutions and how they can transform your business, visit Fujitsu Philippines’ official website at https://www.fujitsu.com/ph.

Read More

DoubleVerify Releases Guide to Boost Ad Performance in APAC

DoubleVerify Releases Guide to Boost Ad Performance in APAC

Sunday, September 1, 2024

DoubleVerify (DV), a leader in digital media authentication, announced today the release of a new guide The Power of Media Quality – How APAC Marketers Can Leverage Media Quality for Better Advertising ROI. DV’s 2023 report in partnership with WARC found that a significant portion of marketers in Asia Pacific (APAC) fail to evaluate digital media buys against core quality metrics. The research concluded that only 17 percent of APAC marketers evaluate critical media quality indicators like brand safety and suitability, viewability, fraud or intended geography. This new guide aims to empower advertisers across the APAC region with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance the effectiveness of their ad campaigns through verification.

Key highlights from The Power of Media Quality – How APAC Marketers Can Leverage Media Quality for Better Advertising ROI include:

Navigating today’s digital media landscape: With the proliferation of digital channels such as social, streaming, gaming and shopping platforms, advertisers are presented with unprecedented opportunities to engage their customers. However, ensuring media quality amidst this growth is essential for campaign success.

Charting your territory: The guide outlines the four pillars of media quality: brand safety and suitability, viewability, fraud and intended geography. Understanding and addressing these pillars is crucial for enhancing campaign effectiveness and mitigating risks. 

Achieving quality in any environment: DV offers a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to APAC advertisers, spanning social, retail media, CTV, gaming and mobile platforms. These solutions enable advertisers to verify media placements everywhere, ensuring consistent measurement standards and transparency across digital investments.

“Our guide serves as a definitive framework to maximize advertising performance in the APAC region,” said Conrad Tallariti, Managing Director and Senior Vice President, APAC, DoubleVerify. “As technology is expanding rapidly, so is the landscape of digital media with opportunities emerging across new social, streaming, gaming, CTV and more, making digital media protection of vital importance.”

To learn more, visit DV’s website and download the guide today.

Read More

Monde Nissin Boosts Digital Success with TikTok Shop

Monde Nissin Boosts Digital Success with TikTok Shop

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Monde Nissin Corporation, a household name in the Philippines for over 40 years, has elevated its iconic food brands to new digital heights by partnering with TikTok Shop. As part of TikTok's roster of Filipino brands, Monde Nissin's impressive growth on the platform underscores the transformative potential of e-commerce and social media in empowering local businesses.

Monde Nissin is celebrating 45 years of bringing good food to tables around the world and is renowned for brands such as Lucky Me!, SkyFlakes, Fita, Nissin Biscuits, Monde, M.Y. San Grahams, and Quorn meat-free products. The company joined TikTok Shop in January 2023, and launched its first livestream event in June 2023. Since then, Monde Nissin has harnessed TikTok Shop's innovative tools and vibrant community to achieve notable results.

"Joining TikTok Shop has been a transformative step for Monde Nissin. It’s not just about expanding our digital footprint, but about engaging with a new generation of consumers in a dynamic, interactive environment. By integrating entertainment and commerce, TikTok Shop has enabled us to drive sales and deepen brand loyalty in ways that traditional platforms could not offer," said Shellane Dy, Activation & Ecomm Head.

Meeting Consumer Demand with Competitive Offers

During TikTok's 7.7 Shopping Sale, Monde Nissin saw double digit growth in Total Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) compared to its previous campaign. This success can be attributed to the brand's strategic use of TikTok Shop's Assortment, Content, and Empowerment (ACE) Indicator System.

In order to meet its diverse consumer needs, Monde Nissin ensured its most popular products were available and competitively priced. In addition, by offering exclusive discounts on popular items, the brand positioned itself as a top choice for value-conscious shoppers.

A key part of this strategy was ensuring high-demand stock-keeping units (SKUs), such as Lucky Me! flavors were well-stocked. This careful inventory management, combined with attractive offers, led to GMV uplift for Lucky Me! during the 7.7 sale, with specific SKUs ranking in the top 40 on the platform.

In addition to Lucky Me!, Monde Nissin also saw substantial growth across other product lines on TikTok Shop. M.Y. San Happy Time Assortment Biscuits achieved an increase in GMV, while the Nissin brand experienced a surge compared to the previous campaign. These results are a testament to the effectiveness of Monde Nissin’s assortment strategy in capturing consumer interest and driving sales across multiple product categories.

Engaging Consumers Through Livestreaming and Influencer Collaborations

In the Content pillar, Monde Nissin's approach was both ambitious and effective. The brand conducted over 24 hours of livestreaming during the 7.7 sale, utilizing multiple TikTok Shop Partners (TSPs) and in-house resources across four accounts. This extensive live presence resulted in a triple digit increase in livestreaming growth compared to the previous campaign. Monde Nissin also leveraged a network of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and partnered with mid-tier and large creators, contributing to its total GMV during the event.

"Livestreaming on TikTok Shop has allowed us to connect with our customers in real time, offering them exclusive deals and engaging them directly with our brand story. This platform has redefined how we interact with our audience," said Shellane Dy.

Leveraging Campaigns and Tools for Growth

Monde Nissin also saw significant results by consistently participating in TikTok Shop's campaigns, including the "Buy Local, Shop Local" program of the platform. The brand was nominated and featured as "Brand of the Day," and utilized Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to attract new customers with targeted vouchers during campaign days. With a strategic focus on limited ad spending, Monde Nissin increased its ads GMV with a Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) of 30.

This success highlights Monde Nissin’s effective use of TikTok Shop’s features and demonstrates how the platform’s combination of social engagement and commerce is influencing the digital marketplace. By facilitating innovative connections between brands and audiences, TikTok Shop provides insights for local businesses adapting to the evolving digital landscape.

"Monde Nissin's impressive performance on our platform highlights the power of TikTok Shop's unique blend of social engagement and e-commerce innovation. Our platform is designed to help brands connect with audiences in meaningful ways, and Monde Nissin's success is a testament to how our tools and features can drive real results. We're excited to continue supporting local brands as they navigate the evolving digital landscape and achieve their growth objectives," said Niks Fojas, Category Lead for FMCG at TikTok Shop.

Read More

Digital Transformation Across Regions: Local Governments Envision Economic Growth with PDSCN Connection

Digital Transformation Across Regions: Local Governments Envision Economic Growth with PDSCN Connection

Monday, August 19, 2024

As the Philippines undergoes digital transformation, it has become critical for local governments to deploy reliable internet connectivity and digitalization. The Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) exemplifies this effort, aiming to enhance the nation's digital infrastructure.

Eastern Communications, the Philippines' pioneering telecommunications company and ICT solutions provider, has forged partnerships with local government units across the country. Through the collaborative PDSCN project, they aim to drive economic growth by elevating the country's digital connectivity and network backbone.

Connecting Regions Through the PDSCN 

The PDSCN is a joint initiative between Eastern Communications, Globe Group, and InfiniVAN Inc. with long-term goals of fostering economic growth and bridging the digital divide. Once completed, it will span over 2,500 kilometers of fiber cables across the Philippines. This robust network is designed to revolutionize internet reliability and resiliency. 

This advanced infrastructure is set to catalyze economic growth and digital transformation in previously underserved and unserved regions. With the PDSCN Express Route now operational, Eastern plans to expand its connectivity network to cater to key business regions such as Iloilo, Davao, Bohol, Boracay, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, and Dumaguete. Eastern formally launched and made its services available in Tagbilaran, Bohol through its signature expansion event, Via Eastern, in July 2024.

As local governments harness the potential of reliable internet and embrace digitalization, they are able to deliver improved public services, enhanced communication, and sustainable economic development. The PDSCN is not just about connectivity; it's about empowering communities and driving the Philippines towards a more inclusive and prosperous future.

Fortifying Connectivity in Cebu

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported a 7.3 percent economic growth in Central Visayas for 2023, raising its GDP to P1.381.2 trillion. Metro Cebu is the region's top contributor, and is also a main driver of the Philippines as a frontrunner in the ASEAN region, achieving the highest growth of 5.7% in the first quarter of 2024. This economic surge, fueled by tourism and business programs, increases the demand for better internet connectivity. It also supports Cebu City's goal of becoming a technologically advanced, inclusive, and resilient urban center.

Eastern Communications is empowering the local government of Cebu with its premium Internet Direct Service (IDS), a dedicated high-speed connectivity solution. Eastern’s IDS boasts robust and reliable connectivity revolutionizing communication, data exchange, and collaboration, bolstering Cebu City's economic development and ensuring efficient governance. 

"The recent partnership between Eastern Communications and the Cebu local government offices is a significant step toward enhancing digital infrastructure and connectivity within the city," said Cebu’s Acting City Mayor Atty. Raymond Garcia. "Advocating for better internet connectivity aligns with Cebu City’s vision of a technologically advanced, inclusive, and resilient urban center." 

Cebu local government’s Management Information and Computer Services (MICS) team also noted how improved connectivity aligns with the Cebu government’s goals and initiatives which promotes technological advancement and digitalization:

Enhanced Public Services: Reliable internet connectivity enables citizens to access government services online, pay bills, and apply for permits seamlessly. Digitalization of administrative processes reduces paperwork, enhances transparency, and improves overall efficiency. 

Community Inclusion: Improved internet access bridges gaps between urban and rural areas while providing free or affordable internet in public spaces through Community Wi-Fi promotes social inclusion and connectivity for all. 

Data-Driven Decision-Making: Digitalization generates valuable data on traffic, utilities, and public services, informing policy decisions and urban planning. Sharing data with the public encourages innovation, collaboration, and community engagement.

Beyond connectivity, Eastern’s services streamline the local government’s operations and optimize digital processes. The service helps the Cebu LGU in e-governance, fostering community inclusion, and leveraging data-driven decision-making for smart city solutions. 

Boosting Negros Occidental's Tourism and Emergency Response

Through the PDSCN, Eastern Communications now serves the local government of Negros Occidental in Western Visayas. In 2023, the province recorded a significant tourism revenue of P6 billion, marking a 36% increase in tourist arrivals from the previous year. As the municipality focuses on tourism growth, Eastern is committed to providing robust and reliable internet to support the government’s day-to-day operations and reinforce safety and communications during emergencies and natural disasters.

“We have been using Eastern Communications’ internet services in our office for the past months and have always been satisfied with its speed performance and no disconnection,” said Province of Negros Occidental OIC-ICTD Jose Larry Sañor. “They offer the most competitive rates and after-sales support to our company is great. I’m happy to recommend their services,” he added. 

Connecting the Nation

As the Philippines continues to grow into a more connected and digital-first nation, Eastern Communications plays a crucial role as a reliable ICT solutions partner for local businesses, working in alignment with government initiatives to advance digitalization. The telco’s support was evident during the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., where Eastern served as a key connectivity provider. The telco provided its 10 GBPs Eastern IDS (Internet Direct Service) to the House of Representatives Complex during the SONA 2024. Supporting the connectivity needs during this time helped Eastern connect Filipinos from various corners across the country and ensured the success of the event.

Read More

Alipay+ Expands to Serve 90 Million Global Merchants in 2024 Summer Campaign Following UEFA EURO Craze

Alipay+ Expands to Serve 90 Million Global Merchants in 2024 Summer Campaign Following UEFA EURO Craze

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Alipay+, the cross-border mobile payment and digitalization solutions operated by Ant International, continued its global summer campaign, which was kicked off by UEFA EURO 2024, in preparation for the travel industry's full rebound by the end of 2024.

Alipay+ is the Official Payment Partner of the UEFA EURO 2024™, and connects leading e-wallets and bank apps, including European partners like Bluecode and Tinaba, to 400,000 merchants across Europe. During EURO 2024 from 14 June to 14 July:

• Alipay+ merchants in Europe saw a year-on-year increase of 27% in terms of transactions made from its partner e-wallets, many of which are mobile payment leaders in Asia. The number of tourists who paid with their preferred home payment app via Alipay+ rose by over 30% during the championship period.
• Mobile-savvy travelers from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Europe, Malaysia and South Korea lead the European travel craze in terms of the number of transactions and total spending.
• While retail remains the most popular activity, travelers also pay with their home payment apps via Alipay+ at pharmacies and attractions, as Alipay+ increases its coverage in essential travel scenarios.
• Cross-border consumption rose with varied user and merchant campaigns across UEFA EURO host cities like Berlin and Munich. In Germany, Alipay+ transactions increased by more than 73%, with a 40% increase in the number of merchants accepting an Alipay+ transaction, compared to the year before.

"The surge in Alipay+ transactions during UEFA EURO 2024 shows the power of sports and major events to unite people and drive cross-border tourism,” said Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International. “European merchants and partners embraced new digital payment trends with remarkable openness and agility. At Ant International, we will continue to expand merchant coverage for consumers and bring more international businesses to the doors of global SMEs.”

Alipay+ turns the heat up with global summer campaign

This summer, tourists will be able to pay with their preferred payment apps via Alipay+ at more than 90 million global merchants in 66 markets as Alipay+ merchant coverage continues to grow, connecting them to users of more than 30 payment partners.

With Europe expected to be one of the top destinations during summer, Alipay+ will continue its momentum from its UEFA EURO 2024 drive, with more joint campaigns with partners to promote usage of their home payment apps in Europe, and offering exclusive promotions at leading merchants, particularly in key destinations like the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

Besides retailers, Alipay+ is also working with local partners to ensure more local businesses can benefit. For example, tourists can enjoy special deals at many small shops in Chinatown in Milan, with more small businesses across Europe to be progressively onboarded. Alipay+ is also adding more digital conveniences for tourists through its recent integration with the taxi app FREENOW, available in 7 European countries, and partnerships for digital tax refunds. The latter allows Chinese tourists to receive instant tax refunds on their Alipay app in-store.

In Japan, where more than 2 million merchants accept Alipay+, tourists from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, the Philippines, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand can enjoy special discounts at 300,000 merchants across the country, including airport shops, department stores, premium shopping malls, convenience store chains, electronics and appliances retailers, and health and beauty shops.

In South Korea, Alipay+ is rolling out summer promotions with leading retailers, theme parks, traditional market and transportation providers, including duty-free stores and department stores operated by Hyundai, Shilla, Shinsegae, Lotte World, ZeroPay Jeju market and Olive Young, for users of AlipayHK, GCash, Touch 'n Go eWallet and TrueMoney.

Alipay+ expanded its acceptance for transportation in South Korea, making it easier for tourists to travel around. In Jeju, users of Alipay+ partners, including Alipay, AlipayHK, GCash, Touch ’n Go eWallet and TrueMoney, can simply use their own payment apps to pay for bus rides. The convenience extends beyond local transportation. Chinese tourists can book train tickets to travel across the country through a dedicated mini-program operated by Korail within the Alipay app.

Through its collaboration with ZeroPay, South Korea’s national QR standard, Alipay+ is accepted by more than 1.9 million merchants.

Alipay+ and its partners continue to make travel more seamless in the Chinese mainland, including the recent expansion of the International Consumer-Friendly Zone Program to Chengdu and Chongqing, as well as Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Tourists visiting the Chinese mainland can pay across more than 80 million merchants by linking their international credit cards to the Alipay app or via 12 other Alipay+ partner payment methods.

In Southeast Asia (SEA), where Alipay+ is widely accepted, users of AlipayHK, Touch ’n Go eWallet, GCash and TrueMoney can purchase discounted travel packs for use at all Alipay+ merchants in the region. Through its partnership with national QRs in Singapore and Malaysia, Alipay+ merchants in the region include many micro and small merchants like hawker stalls in Singapore, that will allow tourists to truly ‘travel like a local’.

With SEA being a popular destination for Chinese tourists, Alipay+ is introducing more innovation and campaigns via Alipay, one of its payment partners, including exclusive campaigns with more than 30 of the most popular retailers – including Central Retail, The Mall Group and King Power in Thailand, Pavilion and Sunway Velocity in Malaysia, and Jewel, Resorts Word Sentosa and Mandai in Singapore.

Additionally, in Thailand, the top SEA destination for Chinese tourists, Alipay+ is enhancing its Alipay+ D-hub and Amazing Thailand e-card – a joint digital travel innovation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand – within the Alipay app, to promote more cities, more merchants and offer more discounts.

Read More

Appdome Tackles Geo-Fraud with More Defenses for Mobile Apps

Appdome Tackles Geo-Fraud with More Defenses for Mobile Apps

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Mobile Brands and Enterprises Can Now Add Geo-Location Fencing and Geo DeSync Detection to Android & iOS Apps with No Code, No SDK and No Server Needed

Appdome, the mobile app economy’s one-stop shop for mobile defense, today announced it has enhanced its award-winning Geo-Fraud Detection service to include two new defenses: Geo-Location Fencing and Geo DeSync Attack Detection. Combined with other Geo-Compliance features available on the Appdome platform, mobile app developers and enterprises can eliminate location-based fraud, ensure geo-compliance and deliver location relevant user experiences in mobile apps free from location spoofing, fake location, VPNs, Fake GPS Apps and other threats.

Geo-fencing is essential in finance apps and other regulated industries that need to meet Know Your Customer (KYC) and other compliance mandates, such as the US Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) requirements. Geo-fencing enables mobile app developers to restrict or limit app access on a country or regional level, ensuring that operations are compliant with local laws and regulations.

A Geo Desync Attack is a cyber-attack that intentionally creates mismatches in location data on a mobile device. By manipulating GPS coordinates, altering the time zone settings, and falsifying accelerometer readings, attackers can deceive location-based services and security systems. This type of attack can lead to inaccurate tracking, unauthorized access, and potential breaches of security protocols, undermining the integrity of location-dependent applications and services.

“Detecting geo related fraud is a top priority in today's mobile app economy. Attackers are increasingly using location spoofing to avoid compliance, for example,” said Eric Newcomer, CTO and Principal Analyst at Intellyx. “Mobile apps rely on accurate location for their services and are increasingly required to confirm device location to maintain trust. Appdome’s mobile Geo Compliance service reduces developer complexity for implementing advanced geo-compliance security features.”

Unlike legacy geo compliance offerings that rely on proprietary, costly, and vendor-built geo service networks, the Appdome Geo Compliance solution zeros in on protecting the mobile device’s built-in location services and ensures these services have not been abused or tampered with. Appdome’s approach eliminates the need for third-party networks, SDKs, complex server-based implementations and does not require third-party monthly usage fees, allowing the enforcement to work even if the device is not network-connected.

“Offering a broad range of mobile Geo Compliance features under a single pane of glass with other security and anti-fraud defenses is a game changer,” said Tom Tovar, co-creator and CEO of Appdome. “These added Geo-Fraud defenses showcase how the Appdome platform is uniquely extensible, and allows brands, developers and enterprises alike to solve multiple mobile app defense objectives simultaneously in the same automated workflow.”

The full Appdome Mobile Geo-Compliance solution puts an end to geo-fraud by detecting fake location, fake GPS apps, fraudulent location, detect VPN, no SIM (fake device), teleportation, Geo DeSync and other attacks. Customers simply select the Geo-Compliance features needed in any Android & iOS apps and initiate the build command from CI/CD or using the Appdome Platform’s “Build My App” button. Appdome’s patented technology uses machine learning to code the defenses into each application, so mobile developers don’t have to.

“Compliance was the early driver for our geo-fraud solution, but now there’s so much more customers are getting out of it,” said Chris Roeckl, Chief Product Officer of Appdome. “Stopping location-fraud and ensuring valid, real location in mobile applications is universal across every Android & iOS app, whether it’s a streaming, dating, restaurant, retail, gig economy or other app. True location is what we deliver in these mobile apps.”

The Appdome Geo-Compliance solution is available in multiple enforcement modes including advanced telemetry and customized responses or workflows when geo compliance threats are detected, and monitoring geo-fraud attacks via the Appdome ThreatScope™ Mobile XDR, either before or after the deployment of geo-location defenses via the Appdome platform.

See the full Appdome Mobile Geo-Compliance solution live at Black Hat USA August 3-8, 2024 in booth #1350.

For more information on Appdome Geo-Compliance capabilities and to book a personalized demo, visit https://www.appdome.com/mobile-fraud-detection/geo-compliance/.

Read More

SEO Editors: Effective Sales Strategies in Digital Branding

SEO Editors: Effective Sales Strategies in Digital Branding

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

             Photo from Markus Spiske on Unsplash

The digital landscape has transformed how consumers research, compare options, and make informed decisions when purchasing products or services. It’s more important than ever to know their habits and stay updated on trending topics that are relevant to your audience, and incorporating relevant cultural references and using “lingo” that feels more personal and engaging. All this so that you can, as a brand, tailor your content to resonate!

Take this situation for instance: If you’re a healthy meal plan provider targeting health enthusiasts, then using terms like high-protein or gluten-free can speak directly to your audience’s interests. It can increase your discoverability, and also increases the chances they’ll read your content.

This is where cohesive digital branding comes in.

Digital branding is the process of creating a distinct and recognizable online presence for your brand to fulfill a goal – like awareness, conversion, loyalty, and outright sales. This is achieved by leveraging various digital channels like web design, social media platforms, content creation marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) practices. 

Sale strategies, meanwhile, are responsible for guiding customers through their buying journey. It starts from sparking curiosity about your brand to prompting them towards conversion (whether purchase or subscription), and finally developing loyalty that fuels repeat business.

We recommend leaving these to the experts in public relations agencies. But of course, it helps to know the ropes yourself. So how do we bring these together to create a strong digital brand presence?

Building a Strong Digital Brand Presence

A strong brand presence is like a magnet; it attracts readers and establishes trust through its credibility and consistent quality. But to reap those benefits, you must first do the following:

Optimize for Brand Visibility

• SEO - Relevant keywords are essential to organic discovery in search results and website traffic. This approach involves strategically placing keywords in website title tags, headings, and meta descriptions. However, be warned: overdoing it with keywords (also known as keyword stuff) can do more harm than good, as this is a practice done by spam websites and is penalized by search engines with a lower ranking.

• Leverage Social Media Platforms - Social media platforms are a potent tool for achieving your goals: expanding your reach, fostering real-time engagement with consumers, and driving website traffic. To maximize this potential, lean into creating high-quality, relevant content that resonates with your audience — this way, you’ll become a trusted resource and authority within your niche.

Enhance Customer Experience for Increased Sales

• UX - The overall experience of a reader determines whether they stay engrossed, return for more, or abandon the article. To keep them hooked, prioritize a user-friendly layout (like readable fonts) that’s easy to read and understand. This includes steering clear of jargon and instead, breaking down complex topics into digestible chunks, and crafting compelling calls to action (CTAs) that entice them to explore other content on your website. 

• Customer Service in the Digital Age - Seamless and positive interactions are the hallmarks of great customer service. When a reader experiences this, they’re more likely to recommend your content to others, propelling its reach. 

Effective Sales Strategies for Digital Branding

• Inbound Marketing for Lead Generation - Inbound marketing involves creating valuable content to attract, engage, and convert visitors into leads and customers.

• Email Marketing Campaigns - Email marketing campaigns can help brands nurture leads, build relationships, and promote products or services.

• Utilizing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools - CRM tools can help brands manage customer interactions, track sales, and analyze customer data.

• Influencer Partnerships and Affiliate Marketing - Influencer partnerships and affiliate marketing can help brands expand their reach, increase brand awareness, and drive sales.

• Mobile Marketing Strategies - Mobile marketing strategies can help brands reach consumers on the go and optimize the mobile user experience.

BONUS: Key Steps to Remember in Editing SEO-Related Content

1. Identify the main topic and subtopics of the original article.
2. Analyze the existing content to identify areas that can be expanded upon or improved with well-researched and engaging information for readers.
3. Ensure the new content is optimized for SEO by including relevant keywords and phrases in the headings, subheadings, and body text.
4. Maintain a focus on the overall quality and readability of the article.
5. Stay clear of self-referencing in the article, as it may detract from the overall quality and focus of the content.

Measuring Success and Optimizing Strategies

To gauge the effectiveness of your strategies, it’s important to track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as conversion rate, cost per acquisition, and customer lifetime value. This provides you with the information needed to identify areas to improve. 

Additionally, you can do A/B testing to identify the most effective strategy, like creating variations of a particular element (e.g., a call-to-action button) and presenting them to different segments of your audience, so you know which performs better. 

By equipping yourself with these powerful tools and embracing the perpetual pursuit of innovation, you’ll unlock the potential of transforming your articles from merely informing and engaging to one that drives actual results. This could be attracting new readers, cementing the brand as a trusted thought leader, and even boosting conversions. Just remember, you have the unique advantage of combining engaging content and insightful data to tweak strategies as needed — use it to its full potential.

Read More

South East Asia demonstrates higher level of email security awareness among developing regions

South East Asia demonstrates higher level of email security awareness among developing regions

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Respondents from Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam also lead the world in "Anomaly Detection in Email Behavior" and "Data Protection in File Sharing"

Zoho, a global technology company, today announced that South East Asia scored higher on email security awareness than other developing regions in the "State of Email Security Awareness Report 2023". Drawing from over 400 respondents from Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the region scored 43.2% on email security awareness compared to the Middle East and Africa (MEA) (40.7%) and South America (SA) (39.9%).

The report also found that South East Asian respondents were global leaders in "Anomaly Detection in Email Behavior" and "Data Protection in File Sharing." Notably, 25% of these respondents were Zoho customers, and this subset exhibited higher awareness levels across these threat types compared to the overall average in the region.

Industry-Specific Measures Needed

In terms of sectors, technology and education performed best, while manufacturing, healthcare, and government were the most vulnerable to email security threats. Key findings indicate that:

The education sector shows remarkably high awareness levels in nearly all threat types, notably in areas such as "Authentication and Access Control" and "Anomaly Detection in Email Behaviour."

The retail and finance sectors exhibit moderate awareness levels. Opportunities for improvement exist in areas such as "Attachments and Phishing" and "Anomaly Detection in Email Behavior."

The technology sector leads in "Data Protection in File Sharing" with a commendable 62% awareness level, indicating a focus on safeguarding sensitive data. However, the data shows room for improvement in areas such as "Email Identity Verification" and "Attachments and Phishing," suggesting a need for enhanced email security measures.

In the healthcare sector, the vulnerabilities are evident, particularly in "Attachments and Phishing," with a low awareness of only 34%. Alarmingly, awareness regarding "Email Identity Verification" is lacking entirely, indicating a critical need for improved email security practices.

The government sector is identified as vulnerable, characterized by significant gaps in "Email Identity Verification" (29%) and "Web content and URL safety" (34%), highlighting specific areas requiring focused enhancement in email security protocols.

The manufacturing sector emerges as the most vulnerable sector, with the lowest awareness in "Web Content and URL Safety" and "Data Protection in File Sharing" at 27% and 29%, respectively. This highlights an urgent need for comprehensive cybersecurity initiatives to protect critical industry assets within the manufacturing sector.

These insights highlight the necessity for industry-specific cybersecurity measures and training to address distinct vulnerabilities.

Gap Between Larger Businesses and SMEs

There was a notable gap in email security awareness between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger enterprises. South East Asian SMEs scored 40% on awareness, far behind the 51.1% of their larger regional competitors.

Awareness among South East Asian SMEs was significantly behind developed regions like North America (NA) (61.6%), Australia/New Zealand (ANZ) (57%), and Europe (EU) (54%). Developing regions like India (42%) also performed better. However, employees at South East Asian SMEs were marginally ahead of peers in the MEA (39.7%), and SA (39.2%).

In larger organizations, employee awareness in this region was also higher than MEA (38.1%) and SA (36.4%), and likewise lagged behind India (54%). Moreover, there was a significant gap of around 13% between South East Asian large enterprises and those in developed regions like NA, ANZ, and EU.

Correlation Between Experience and Awareness

Senior-level employees (11-20 years of experience) in South East Asia scored highest among all experience levels in the region at 54%. Though behind NA, ANZ, and EU by 12%, 9%, and 6% respectively, they outdid MEA and SA by 18% and 16% respectively. This suggests a moderate level of awareness among seasoned professionals in the region.

On the other hand, executive-level employees (more than 20 years of experience) exhibited a surprising dip from the year before, to 45%. They trail NA, ANZ, EU by 20%, 15%, and 11% respectively, and also lagged behind India, MEA, SA) by 4%, 10%, and 5% respectively.

New entrants into the workforce displayed a 30% awareness level, behind NA, ANZ, EU by 20%, 18%, and 15% respectively. However, consistent with freshers in India, MEA, SA, they exhibited similar awareness levels.

There is also a significant awareness gap of 24.6% between freshers and senior-level employees in the South East Asia region. The disparities in awareness across experience levels highlight the need for continuous training and upskilling initiatives tailored to professionals at different stages of their careers, regardless of their seniority.

The survey included responses from 1,814 survey participants globally and serves as an essential benchmark for businesses, IT leaders, and cybersecurity educators, aiding in the evaluation and improvement of email security awareness initiatives.

Read the full report here:

https://www.zoho.com/workplace/email-security-awareness-report-2023.html

Read More

Bayad is now PCIDSS 4.0 certified, elevating payment security standards in the Philippines

Bayad is now PCIDSS 4.0 certified, elevating payment security standards in the Philippines

With the fast-growing fintech network in the Philippines, Bayad continues to trailblaze in the industry as an outsourced bills payment collection service provider, enabling a one-stop-shop payment solution for its consumers.

Formerly known as Bayad Center, the company has rebranded to Bayad, transforming into a digital first institution which offers a full-range of services made available for consumers and enterprise. From its own brick-and-mortar business model, Bayad has expanded its payment ecosystem by connecting a multitude of billers with leading establishments and e-money players in the country.

Today, Bayad stands as a fintech subsidiary of Meralco, the largest electric distribution utility company in the Philippines.

As Bayad enhances it backend and frontend solutions, it also intensifies its cybersecurity measures, where trust and convenience remain at the core of its consumer protection standards. 

In line with these efforts, Bayad has successfully obtained its Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard 4.0 (PCIDSS 4.0).

The said security standard certification was thoroughly assessed by SISA, a forensics-driven cybersecurity company specializing in risk assessment, security compliance & validation, monitoring & threat hunting, as well as training for various payment security certifications.

SISA’s assessment has proven Bayad’s capability to provide reliable fintech solutions, having effectively deployed multi-factor authentication, key management system, data at rest encryption, secure wipe solutions, and web application firewall that are critical features in passing for the said data security standard certification.

Bayad Deputy Chief Information Security Officer Rolly N. Bañez shared, “Bayad’s PCIDSS 4.0 certification attests our commitment in harnessing technologies that will foster security, efficiency, and scalability in digital payments. The robust cybersecurity measures we implement enables us to confidently innovate and co-create projects with various stakeholders centered on our goal of maintaining a frictionless customer experience.”

Bayad Chief Information Security Officer Rocky D. Bacani added “Bayad’s PCIDSS 4.0 certification is a critical milestone in our continuous fight against cyber threats. Consequently, cybercrime remains one of the foremost risks confronting businesses and communities. At Bayad, we recognize the role that cybersecurity plays in protecting our consumers and our business counterparts.”

Bayad President and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer also underscored “Ultimately, efficiency, and innovation are the bedrock of Bayad’s cybersecurity initiatives. We value the way people do payments and also help institutions to thrive and expand, with a robust system that enables reliable, seamless and real-time transactions.”

For fintech institutions that are interested to be part of Bayad’s extensive bills payment network, you may send an email to partnerships@bayad.com. Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient and secured payment collection processing.

Read More

51% of women-led SMEs surveyed in the Philippines experience increased revenue after accepting digital payments

51% of women-led SMEs surveyed in the Philippines experience increased revenue after accepting digital payments

Monday, July 8, 2024

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, conducted a survey on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the Philippines. Findings show that 51% of women-led SMEs and 56% of micro-businesses experienced revenue growth with digital payments adoption. Given women constitute over half of Asia's population and SMEs' vital role in the economy, maximizing women's economic potential could add $89 billion annually to the Asia Pacific economy including in the Philippines. 

SMEs are crucial for economic growth in the Philippines, with more than a million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry data show that 99.5% of businesses in the country are MSMEs with almost 50% of them in wholesale and retail trade, generating 65% of total employment. Furthermore, the Asian Development Bank estimated that MSMEs contribute around 36% of the country’s GDP[1].

The Visa study found that managing businesses has become easier for 72% of the surveyed SMEs in the Philippines. Wallets, predominantly GCash, dominate as the main provider of digital payment for SMEs, especially those that are female-led (61%) who were surveyed in the Philippines. Visa has partnered with GCash to introduce the new GCash Card – giving millions of unbanked Filipinos access to the benefits of owning a payment card. 

Among the businesses that have started accepting digital payments, those accepting cards witnessed the most significant turnover increases (83%). Digital payments provide instant transfers and enable cashless transactions for an enhanced commerce experience. Visa supports SMEs in the Philippines by offering widespread acceptance and robust protection for both merchants and customers, guarding against fraudulent activities.

Guaya Melgar, CEO and Co-Founder of Mochi, a billing and collections platform, said: “My business has grown since I introduced digital payment methods. I appreciate the convenience, speed, and the ability to easily track payment records. It provides my customers with a convenient cashless payment option too. I hope to expand my business beyond the Philippines so enabling cross-border payments will help me grow my customer base.”

"Small and medium-sized businesses are the driving force behind the thriving economy in the Philippines. Visa is proud to contribute to their growth by providing secure and convenient digital payment solutions,” said Jeff Navarro, Visa’s Country Manager for the Philippines. “Visa is committed to continuously supporting the Philippine government’s financial inclusion and digitization goals, including empowering SMEs, the cornerstone of the economy, by introducing innovative financial and payment solutions so they can build on this foundation to grow their business.” 

Visa recently launched a SME online toolkit to enable tourism merchants to maximize the benefits of contactless payments. In 2023, Visa launched the SME Accelerator Program in the Philippines to support SMEs and partners through competitive pricing, faster onboarding, and comprehensive take-to-market support. The expanded SME Accelerator initiatives will also focus on a wider set of partnerships with ecosystem participants to serve smaller sellers and fast-track solutions deployment for SMEs. 

The Visa Foundation has also pledged $100 million over five years to accelerate access for underrepresented and women-led SMEs in APEC economies, including in the Philippines. Of the nearly 67 million SMEs reached by Visa globally, approximately 29.6 million are from APEC economies, with 10.9 million being women-led SMEs. 

[1] https://data.adb.org/media/11896/download

Read More