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# IOU
PayPal is trying to reduce the awkwardness of asking friends for money back
Although there are no “firm plans” to bring PayPal.me to Irish users yet.
PAYPAL HAS LAUNCHED a payment method that allows you to request money by sending a URL link.
The service, called PayPal.me, allows users to request money through personalised links and can be sent through email, SMS or instant messaging services like WhatsApp.
Once the link is clicked on, the person can pay from their own PayPal account by selecting an amount and hitting send. You can specify the amount needed to be paid or leave it up to the individual to decide.
The idea, according to PayPal, is to avoid the awkwardness that ensues whenever you ask friends, family members or colleagues to pay you back. Also, the link means you won’t have to leave the app or site you’re on so you can transfer money.
Of the 18 countries that it’s launched in today, Ireland isn’t included. When asked whether the service will be making its way over here, a spokesperson for PayPal said it has “no firm plans on the Irish launch as yet”.
As well as the US, Australia and Canada, the service is launching in a number of European countries including the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
PayPal joins a growing number of apps that offer similar peer-to-peer payments. Both Facebook Messenger and Snapchat introduced its own money transfer service to users in the US although there are no plans from either to expand to other countries.
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