US consumer watchdog proposes rules for Big Tech

Shifting landscape: A pedestrian walks past the PayPal logo in Berlin. The company, along with the likes of Apple and Alphabet, could be subject to more bank-like oversight. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: The top US consumer financial watchdog is proposing to regulate tech giants’ digital payments and smartphone wallet services, saying on Tuesday they rival traditional payment methods in scale and scope but lack safeguards.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) proposal would subject companies like Alphabet, Apple, PayPal and Block’s CashApp to bank-like supervision, with CFPB examiners inspecting their privacy protections, executives’ conduct and compliance with laws barring unfair and deceptive practices.