Chat commerce lets merchants accept payment in all Telegram chats
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Telegram Payments 2.0 now lets merchants collect payments in any conversation on the app. Sellers don’t need to be pre-approved by Telegram and can get started accepting money using any of the eight integrated payment providers.
Telegram is a messaging app the offers end-to-end encryption for its 500 million users. Usage increased 25 percent last year.
In app payments are increasing in popularity among chat app users. The support is known as “chat commerce” which helps merchants maintain a more personal connection with customers. Potential buyers can move be supported in chats where someone helps them complete their purchase or answers questions.
Merchants can provide a more personalized shopping support and make paying easy for the consumer.
Chat commerce gives shoppers a similar experience to in-store purchases without having to travel. Merchants can remove the frustration of buying though big online marketplaces with fees. They can also answer customer questions in real time.
“This is a free and privacy-conscious platform – Telegram takes no commission and stores no payment information. Credit card information is sent directly to the payment provider and shipping information is shared with the merchant so they can send you your goods,” said the company in its announcement.
Users can user the feature to pay for purchases, to tip their favorite service providers, and support artists.
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Telegram Payments 2.0
Any merchant can start using the Telegram Payments API without getting any additional approval from Telegram. There is a demo channel on Telegram to so you can see how it works – Telegram payments demo channel.
Eight payment providers are already integrated into Telegram Payments 2.0
- Stripe
- Yandex.Money
- Sberbank
- Tranzzo
- Payme
- CLICK
- LiqPay
- ECOMMPAY
Telegram Update
You’ll have to upgrade your Telegram app to take advantage of the new payment functionality. iOSusers can already download the update from the Apple Store. For now, Android users will have to take an update straight from Telegram. Google has not finished reviewing the upgraded app so it’s not in the Google Play app store just yet.
READ Google Removes 21 Malware Apps from Google Play
There is a demo channel on Telegram to so you can see how it works – Telegram payments demo channel. Payments can also be made using the Telegram desktop computer app.
Back in January WhatsApp changed it privacy policy which sent users fleeing the messaging app. Secure chat apps like Telegram and Signal both benefitted from the exodus. End-to-end encryption is a major reason why people use messaging apps – wanting to keep their messages, photos, and videos private.
Messaging apps have become a major way to buy online circumventing slow websites and adding a more personal experience.
Telegram Payments are Secure
Telegram does not charge a fee for the service or make any money from it. The app does not store any payment card details either, so the transaction is secure.
Payments can also be made using the Telegram desktop computer app.
Telegram added payment capabilities in 2017. Users could pay for goods and services via payment bots.
READ New Credit Card Skimming Attack Leverages Telegram
Scheduled Voice Chats
Another new telegram feature is the ability to schedule voice calls. Now group admins can now schedule a voice Chat. Previously voice chats could only start immediately.
Admins can schedule a voice chat from their group or channel’s profile page.
