“Gartner Listed - mobile application security guide”

December 20, 2016

Paytm‘s new “App Password” feature

In early December, Paytm launched a new feature on its Android app with the name of “App Password” to give users a way to set up a secure password, pin, fingerprint or pattern, after mobile app security testing raised concerns about Paytm’s security. The feature was introduced to ensure the safety of money stored in the Paytm wallet after the app was withdrawn due to security concerns.

Released with the new update of the latest Paytm Android app, the feature lets users click the “Passbook” or “Pay” option after setting a PIN, pattern or password on their phone. This prompts the user to enable the optional “App Password” feature. Upon clicking the “Add Security” option, the user will be asked to reenter their phone’s password or other security mechanism which will set up the mobile app’s security. The feature can also be disabled by the user by going to the “Security and Settings” menu and turning off the “Android Security” feature in the app.

The move came after Paytm removed a Point of Sale feature from its mobile app shortly after introducing it when some banks showed concerns regarding concerns about mobile app security testing due to the PoS feature. With the new App Password feature introduced, users can now easily conduct transactions through their mobile wallets without the fear of losing their money in case of loss or theft of their devices. According to the Senior Vice President of Paytm Deepak Abbot, Paytm holds about 164 million users and the introduction of this feature speaks of the company’s unmatched commitment to its customers.

About more than a million offline merchants throughout India prefer the use of Paytm for transactions. This includes autos, taxis, grocery shops, petrol pumps, parking spaces, restaurants, hospitals, pharmacies, etc. It is hoped that with positive commitment towards online payments and focus on mobile app security, Paytm will soon succeed in making mobile transactions a preferred mode of transactions throughout India. Paytm needs to continue doing regular mobile app security testing to ensure the security of an app that is key to its user’s lives.

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