The Tap That Pays

Written by Studio AM.

During a contactless payment, a card or phone comes very close to a reader at the checkout counter. The two devices use a short-range radio method called near-field communication. The small range helps make the intended interaction clear to both devices.

The close exchange follows a defined payment process. Payment systems exchange structured messages, and a transaction can include a changing security value. A phone may first require a face, fingerprint, or passcode.

In a typical online payment, the reader sends the request onward through payment networks for approval by the card issuer. A tap begins a payment request rather than moving physical money. It is a brief local conversation that begins a larger checked process.

Questions

Choose an answer. The explanation appears after you answer.

  1. Question 1 of 4

    What is the main idea of the passage?

  2. Question 2 of 4

    Why is short range useful?

  3. Question 3 of 4

    What does “structured” mean here?

  4. Question 4 of 4

    What may a phone require first?

Score: none answered yet.

More passages

Practise reading