Facebook has embarked on a limited roll out of a new feature that enables users to automatically enter their payment details for mobile shopping by simply using their social network log-in credentials.
Designed to bypass the tedious form-filling required to make a purchase on a mobile Web browser, 'Autofill with Facebook' populates the payment field with the user's data and credit card info stored on their Facebook account.
The social network has partnered with Braintree and Stripe to build an integration layer for mobile merchants that use their payment platforms. Facebook is also in talks with PayPal about building support for the programme.
An early test run involves photo book buying with mobile merchant Mosaic and hipster clothing store Threads. Other merchants will be invited to use the Autofill API to build their own 'Check Out Faster with Facebook' button.
Available initially for Apple iOS, Facebook has ambitions to extend to the desktop over time, operating as a global trusted platform ID for friction-free online shopping.