Google searches for "delete PayPal" and "cancel PayPal" soared by nearly 1,400% after a new policy announcement caused a major uproar online.
The e-finance giant said that it was going to fine users over €2,500 for making false claims online about the company. Plans for the policy were instantly met with a huge backlash as searches for deleting and cancelling PayPal jumped by 1,392% on Google.
However, the new policy, which was supposed to come into effect on November 3, has since been retracted. A spokesperson for the company said: "PayPal is not fining people for misinformation and this language was never intended to be inserted in our policy."
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Anyone accused of publishing rumours or misinformation about the company would have been fined €2,582 under the now-withdrawn policy, the Irish Mirror reports. Users dashed to delete their app immediately following the announcement, figures from Financial World revealed.
A spokesperson for Financial World said: "PayPal has received backlash from their announcement, which was quickly retracted. The backlash can be clearly seen on social media but also in these huge search spikes for people wanting to remove themselves from the platform altogether.
"Many posts can be seen highlighting the issue that PayPal announced they could deduct €2,582 straight from your account for misinformation, with hundreds of people suggesting closing their accounts to avoid this penalty."
On Twitter, Paypal's former president David Marcus said: "It’s hard for me to openly criticize a company I used to love and gave so much to. But PayPal’s new AUP goes against everything I believe in. A private company now gets to decide to take your money if you say something they disagree with. Insanity."
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