(5 May 2008 – Australia) The Reserve Bank is lodging submissions with the ACCC in an attempt to stop eBay from forcing users into using PayPal.eBay is attempting to force customers to use its PayPal service to make payments on the online auction site.
The move by eBay is a test for its worldwide operations. If the change is successful, eBay is expected to introduce the same rules across its websites worldwide.
The RBA is thought to instead favour a new online debit system to securely link bank accounts to merchants.
eBay, however, has said that the move is designed to increase security.
eBay has applied to the ACCC for an exemption from the Trade Practices Act to stop vendors using other payments methods, such as direct bank deposits, cheques and money orders, on its online auction site.
The RBA, as well as the Australian Bankers Association (ABA) will lodge submissions to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to stop the June 18 change.