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Barclaycard Adopts MasterCard’s inControl

Barclaycard and UK-based mobile provider Orange recently launched a credit card that uses MasterCard’s inControl, which MasterCard execs say is the initial public use of the platform to allow user controls on a consumer credit card.

The Orange Credit Card includes NFC functionality and inControl’s spending technology. Features include automated SMS alerts to keep tabs on spending; alerts and blocks on card spending online, abroad or for high-value transactions; and weekly or monthly budgets with alerts when that budget is reached.

“It gives consumers an experience that’s consistent with that they expect on a mobile device. They want alerts and to be able to set controls,” says Josh Peirez, head of innovative platforms for MasterCard, who would not divulge future consumer rollouts other than to say other announcements would be made soon.

Developed out of MasterCard’s relationship with Orbiscom (at first a development partnership, then an acquisition), inControl provides user-defined limits or prohibitions designed to pre-set parameters on credit card spending.

The platform has already attracted business clients such as RBS in its “approval to buy” corporate card program, Citigroup and Bank of Montreal.