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Google Chrome testing predatory BNPL loan integration

Corbin Davenport (@corbin@toot.community)

https://toot.community/@corbin/113159195674172158

Google is experimenting with direct integration for Affirm, Zip, and possibly other Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services in the Chrome browser. This is the same thing Microsoft did with Edge a few years ago, and is now in Apple Pay in iOS 18. "When enabled, users will have the option to pay with buy now pay later with Affirm on specific merchant webpages.” The tech industry is increasingly embracing predatory loans. #chrome #finance #google https://github.com/chromium/chromium/commit/3a9e2c966aa4e06da71778b62425adeefa88a817

6 comments

can

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Didn't apple already back away from this? Or am I thinking of something else?

corbin

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Apple discontinued its own Apple Pay Later service in favor of just integrating third-party payment services, like Affirm: https://9to5mac.com/2024/06/17/apple-pay-later-united-states-ending/

can

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Of course they did.

jacksilver

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Why be the bad guy when you can just enable them.

ms_lane

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Yeah, instead of 0%, fixed payment loans, people should take on 18-60% apr credit cards instead! That'll help people unable to afford large purchases in a single go!

Even better, they could just buy cheaper stuff! Poor people deserve to buy leaky boots every year! /s

jacksilver

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Just read up more about the systems and always thought they charged you more, didn't realize that for the time being they are zero interest loans.

Seems unsustainable, but sounds like they're using the credit card technique of charing the storefront. It'll be interesting to see where the bnpl industry goes.