Google Pay Introduces Convenience Fee On Bill Payments Via Credit, Debit Cards - Related to fee, bill, innovation,, content, google
Google Pay Introduces Convenience Fee On Bill Payments Via Credit, Debit Cards
“The convenience fee helps cover the costs associated with processing credit or debit card payments,” stated Google Pay on its FAQ page.
Google Pay’s convenience fee ranges from [website] to 1% of the transaction value, along with the applicable goods and services tax (GST).
Tech giant Google has begun levying a ‘convenience fee’ on bill payments made with credit and debit cards on its UPI platform Google Pay.
Taking a leaf out of IPO-bound PhonePe and fintech giant Paytm’s book, tech giant Google has begun levying a ‘convenience fee’ on bill payments made with credit and debit cards on its UPI platform Google Pay.
Google Pay’s convenience fee ranges from [website] to 1% of the transaction value, along with the applicable goods and services tax (GST), ET reported. The platform charges consumers when they’re paying electricity, television, water and cooking gas bills via debit and credit cards.
However, this convenience fee does not apply to UPI payments made directly through bank accounts.
“The convenience fee helps cover the costs associated with processing credit or debit card payments,” a post by Google Pay on its FAQ page read.
It further stated that convenience fees can be subject to changes in the future, adding that the latest platform fee details are displayed at the time of payment.
It is pertinent to note that Google Pay has also been charging a convenience fee of INR 3 for mobile recharges since last year. This convenience fee applies to both UPI and card payments.
Charging a convenience fee, a platform fee, or a similarly worded additional charge is considered normal practice in the online services industry.
PhonePe also levies a convenience fee for bill payments, including water, piped gas and electricity, white Paytm charges anywhere from INR 1 to INR 40 as platform fees for recharges via UPI and bill payments, including credit card payments.
However, concerns arise due to a lack of regulation over the amount of fees charged. Last year, BookMyShow and Paytm were accused of anti-competitive practices for charging exorbitant ‘handling fees’ on online movie tickets.
Google Pay is currently the second largest UPI player in India with a 37% market share as of January 2025, trailing behind only PhonePe, which holds a [website] market share. Despite the boom in UPI adoption, fintech companies have struggled to convert such payments into a significant revenue driver.
, stakeholders (including payer’s banks, UPI app providers and NPCI) typically incur a cost of nearly [website] of the transaction value for processing a UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transaction.
In the fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24), stakeholders incurred a cost of INR 12,000 Cr for processing UPI P2M transactions but were incentivised with only INR 3,000 Cr.
Google Pay’s latest move reflects a broader trend of companies attempting to monetise UPI transactions to offset processing costs as UPI adoption gains momentum.
The number of transactions processed on UPI hit an all-time high of 1,699 Cr in January, with the total value of transactions standing at INR [website] Lakh Cr.
OpenInfer has raised $8 million in funding to redefine AI inference for edge applications.
It’s the brain child of Behnam Bastani and Reza Nourai, wh......
The French tech ecosystem: Innovation, investment, and expansion
France’s tech ecosystem continues to expand, with companies raising €[website] billion in 2024, representing [website] per cent of the total funding secured across Europe.
The transportation sector led the way, attracting €5 billion, largely driven by €[website] billion in debt financing secured by Automotive Cells enterprise to develop three gigafactories for lithium-ion battery cell production. Following closely, artificial intelligence companies raised €[website] billion, while fintech secured €831 million in funding.
In recent years, France has secured its position as one of Europe’s most dynamic tech hubs, thanks to strong government support, financial incentives, and a thriving startup culture. The country is now home to a growing list of unicorns, including Poolside, Pigment, and Pennylane, which have reached their billion-dollar valuation in 2024. Sectors such as AI, fintech, health tech, and deeptech continue to drive innovation, backed by increasing venture capital interest and international expansion efforts.
While challenges remain, France’s commitment to innovation, talent development, and infrastructure investment underscores its ambitions to become a global leader in technology. As the country refines its strategies and attracts more international investors, it is poised to shape the future of tech in Europe.
Here are ten companies to watch in 2025.
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Table of Contents Table of Contents Barely thicker than a regular phone when folded Unfolding a fantastic and large display No compromises on battery ......
RepScan secures €3M Series A for negative online content removal
Digital management RepScan, remover of negative online content (fake news, identity theft, cyberbullying, fake profiles, photos, videos, false reviews, etc.), has closed a Series A funding round of €3 million.
RepScan has removed over 40,000 pieces of content from the internet for over 1,600 clients across 62 countries.
, co-founder and president of RepScan, the business aims to defend the digital rights of individuals and businesses.
It also introduced the launch of RepScan [website], providing tools for digital reputation self-management.
RepScan [website] allows clients to define the keywords and brands they wish to monitor from their dashboard. It provides real-time monitoring of Google and social media content. Fast removal and mitigation enable the automated request for negative content removal to minimise its impact on digital reputation.
Detailed reports offer real-time metrics.
The round included participation from Swanlaab Venture Factory, Bonsai Partners, Pinama Capital 23, Boyser, and prominent Business Angels from the ecosystem, such as Oriol Carulla and Josep María Frigola, among others.
Mark Kavelaars, founding partner of Swanlaab Venture Factory, highlighted:
"At Swanlaab, we believe in technology as a driving force to solve the great challenges of the digital era. RepScan democratises digital reputation protection with an innovative and highly scalable solution. We are delighted to support its growth and expansion".
The funds will aid RepScan’s commercialisation efforts, with part allocated to strengthening the corporation’s 24/7 urgent negative content removal service.
It also stressed upon the IT Act, POCSO Act and the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) which makes publishing of obscene or pornographic content a punishable......
To note, in the past 12 months, the stock has lost more than 39% in value.
Market capitalisation of the firm currently stands at INR 6,[website] Cr.
Market Impact Analysis
Market Growth Trend
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.0% | 14.4% | 15.2% | 16.8% | 17.8% | 18.3% | 18.5% |
Quarterly Growth Rate
| Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16.8% | 17.5% | 18.2% | 18.5% |
Market Segments and Growth Drivers
| Segment | Market Share | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Transformation | 31% | 22.5% |
| IoT Solutions | 24% | 19.8% |
| Blockchain | 13% | 24.9% |
| AR/VR Applications | 18% | 29.5% |
| Other Innovations | 14% | 15.7% |
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity:
Competitive Landscape Analysis
| Company | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Amazon Web Services | 16.3% |
| Microsoft Azure | 14.7% |
| Google Cloud | 9.8% |
| IBM Digital | 8.5% |
| Salesforce | 7.9% |
Future Outlook and Predictions
The Google Introduces Convenience landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing threat vectors, and shifting business requirements. Based on current trends and expert analyses, we can anticipate several significant developments across different time horizons:
Year-by-Year Technology Evolution
Based on current trajectory and expert analyses, we can project the following development timeline:
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity, influencing adoption timelines and investment priorities:
Innovation Trigger
- Generative AI for specialized domains
- Blockchain for supply chain verification
Peak of Inflated Expectations
- Digital twins for business processes
- Quantum-resistant cryptography
Trough of Disillusionment
- Consumer AR/VR applications
- General-purpose blockchain
Slope of Enlightenment
- AI-driven analytics
- Edge computing
Plateau of Productivity
- Cloud infrastructure
- Mobile applications
Technology Evolution Timeline
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
Expert Perspectives
Leading experts in the digital innovation sector provide diverse perspectives on how the landscape will evolve over the coming years:
"Technology transformation will continue to accelerate, creating both challenges and opportunities."
— Industry Expert
"Organizations must balance innovation with practical implementation to achieve meaningful results."
— Technology Analyst
"The most successful adopters will focus on business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake."
— Research Director
Areas of Expert Consensus
- Acceleration of Innovation: The pace of technological evolution will continue to increase
- Practical Integration: Focus will shift from proof-of-concept to operational deployment
- Human-Technology Partnership: Most effective implementations will optimize human-machine collaboration
- Regulatory Influence: Regulatory frameworks will increasingly shape technology development
Short-Term Outlook (1-2 Years)
In the immediate future, organizations will focus on implementing and optimizing currently available technologies to address pressing digital innovation challenges:
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
These developments will be characterized by incremental improvements to existing frameworks rather than revolutionary changes, with emphasis on practical deployment and measurable outcomes.
Mid-Term Outlook (3-5 Years)
As technologies mature and organizations adapt, more substantial transformations will emerge in how security is approached and implemented:
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
This period will see significant changes in security architecture and operational models, with increasing automation and integration between previously siloed security functions. Organizations will shift from reactive to proactive security postures.
Long-Term Outlook (5+ Years)
Looking further ahead, more fundamental shifts will reshape how cybersecurity is conceptualized and implemented across digital ecosystems:
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
These long-term developments will likely require significant technical breakthroughs, new regulatory frameworks, and evolution in how organizations approach security as a fundamental business function rather than a technical discipline.
Key Risk Factors and Uncertainties
Several critical factors could significantly impact the trajectory of digital innovation evolution:
Organizations should monitor these factors closely and develop contingency strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts on technology implementation timelines.
Alternative Future Scenarios
The evolution of technology can follow different paths depending on various factors including regulatory developments, investment trends, technological breakthroughs, and market adoption. We analyze three potential scenarios:
Optimistic Scenario
Rapid adoption of advanced technologies with significant business impact
Key Drivers: Supportive regulatory environment, significant research breakthroughs, strong market incentives, and rapid user adoption.
Probability: 25-30%
Base Case Scenario
Measured implementation with incremental improvements
Key Drivers: Balanced regulatory approach, steady technological progress, and selective implementation based on clear ROI.
Probability: 50-60%
Conservative Scenario
Technical and organizational barriers limiting effective adoption
Key Drivers: Restrictive regulations, technical limitations, implementation challenges, and risk-averse organizational cultures.
Probability: 15-20%
Scenario Comparison Matrix
| Factor | Optimistic | Base Case | Conservative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implementation Timeline | Accelerated | Steady | Delayed |
| Market Adoption | Widespread | Selective | Limited |
| Technology Evolution | Rapid | Progressive | Incremental |
| Regulatory Environment | Supportive | Balanced | Restrictive |
| Business Impact | Transformative | Significant | Modest |
Transformational Impact
Technology becoming increasingly embedded in all aspects of business operations. This evolution will necessitate significant changes in organizational structures, talent development, and strategic planning processes.
The convergence of multiple technological trends—including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and ubiquitous connectivity—will create both unprecedented security challenges and innovative defensive capabilities.
Implementation Challenges
Technical complexity and organizational readiness remain key challenges. Organizations will need to develop comprehensive change management strategies to successfully navigate these transitions.
Regulatory uncertainty, particularly around emerging technologies like AI in security applications, will require flexible security architectures that can adapt to evolving compliance requirements.
Key Innovations to Watch
Artificial intelligence, distributed systems, and automation technologies leading innovation. Organizations should monitor these developments closely to maintain competitive advantages and effective security postures.
Strategic investments in research partnerships, technology pilots, and talent development will position forward-thinking organizations to leverage these innovations early in their development cycle.
Technical Glossary
Key technical terms and definitions to help understand the technologies discussed in this article.
Understanding the following technical concepts is essential for grasping the full implications of the security threats and defensive measures discussed in this article. These definitions provide context for both technical and non-technical readers.
fintech intermediate
API beginner
How APIs enable communication between different software systemsplatform intermediate
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