Walmart's Apple Pay Snub: A Security Risk or Data Privacy Trade-off?
The world's largest grocer, Walmart, is making headlines for its ongoing refusal to support Apple Pay, sparking a debate about security and data privacy.
9to5Mac Security Bite, sponsored by Mosyle, the Apple Unified Platform, sheds light on this controversial topic. Mosyle ensures Apple devices are work-ready and secure, offering an integrated approach to management and security. Their platform is trusted by over 45,000 organizations to automate device hardening, compliance, and advanced security features.
But here's where it gets controversial: Walmart's decision to reject Apple Pay and similar tap-to-pay solutions is raising eyebrows. While most users opt for the convenience of tapping to pay, few realize the robust security measures in place to protect their data.
When setting up Apple Pay, your device creates a unique proxy for your card info, called a Device Primary Account Number (DPAN). This DPAN is stored in a Secure Element, a dedicated chip isolated from the rest of your device, working in tandem with the Secure Enclave. When you tap to pay, biometrics confirm your identity, and a one-time cryptographic token is released for the transaction.
Walmart's preference for its own payment services, like Walmart Pay or Scan and Go, is well-known. These services link purchases directly to user accounts, enabling detailed tracking for advertising. However, Apple Pay and other contactless methods make this tracking more challenging as they don't reveal your name or card details to merchants.
By not supporting Apple Pay, Walmart prioritizes data collection over user security. They opt for direct tracking of purchases tied to user identities, rather than embracing a system that safeguards personal information, card details, and purchase history.
The internet seems to agree that Walmart's stance is outdated and risky. In 2026, not embracing Apple Pay could be considered a significant security oversight.
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