First Data's participation in GlobalPlatform activities will enable it to contribute to the association's market-specific task forces, where First Data can offer extensive experience in payment innovation.

"With contactless, mobile and EMV at the forefront of industry innovation, chip-based technologies will play a central role in the global payments infrastructure and ultimately in enabling a more integrated and secure universal commerce experience for all ecosystem participants," said Christopher Cox, Vice President, First Data Mobile Solutions. "First Data's core business increasingly requires excellence around secure chip technology as we develop more sophisticated payment solutions for merchants and financial institutions. GlobalPlatform membership allows us to contribute to the development of industry leading specifications related to secure chip technology to ensure security and interoperability of applications. It also provides an ideal platform for us to engage with key stakeholders in the wider marketplace."

Kevin Gillick, Executive Director of GlobalPlatform, adds: "It is great to have First Data on board. We look forward to its contribution to our standardization activities and benefiting from its knowledge of the payments sector."