Lab Notes

A TechWeb article says that Transaction Network Services Inc., which provides mobile credit card payment processing, will be adding encryption to its products.

The big news here is not that they are adding encryption, but that they didn't have it before. Transaction Network Services provides service to "taxi and limousine companies, towing services, arts and crafts shows, and mobile concession and souvenir stands" so that these merchants lacking land line phone access can process credit cards. For years they have been transmitting consumers' credit card information wirelessly without any protection. Better late than never, I suppose.