Rumored for some time, Facebook is finally announcing that peer-to-peer payments have come to Messenger.
Not immediately, however. Facebook says it’ll be rolling it out to iOS, Android, and Desktop in the “coming months,” and we all know how slowly Facebook likes to roll out products. But let’s be optimistic on this one.
When you finally do get the ability to send money in Messenger, you’ll need to have a Mastercard or Visa from a US bank. No word on future functionality for credit cards or international users. Once you connect a card, you and your friends will be able to transfer funds back and forth – with no additional fees.
There will be a dollar sign icon on the Messenger interface, which you’ll tap and type in the amount you want to send. Hit pay and it’s as easy as that.
Facebook, unsurprisingly, wants to make sure you feel secure in your transactions.
“Incorporating security best practices into our payments business has always been a top priority. We use secure systems that encrypt the connection between you and Facebook as well as your card information when you ask us to store it for you. We use layers of software and hardware protection that meet the highest industry standards. These payment systems are kept in a secured environment that is separate from other parts of the Facebook network and that receive additional monitoring and control. A team of anti-fraud specialists monitor for suspicious purchase activity to help keep accounts safe,” says the company.
You’ll have the choice to craft a unique PIN to use for your transactions.
Payments are a nice addition to one of Facebook’s most-used products. The company isn’t charging anything right now, but as Re/code points out, this is nice way for the company to get more debit cards on file for any future commerce plans.