YouGotaGift has received the region’s first PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance certification for eGift Cards, cementing its position as the leading eGift Card distributor in the Middle-East. The PCI-DSS accreditation is an endorsement of the security of transactions and customer data, ensuring that customers using Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and other credit and debit cards are assured of secure transactions.
The pandemic quickened the pace towards digital payments which in turn accelerated the demand for online payment security. Insights from a report cited security as the most important aspect of an online experience for customers, with 55% saying it was their top priority. The younger demographic – the under 40s – nearly half (49%) said they were now more concerned about fraud than they were before the pandemic began. Consumers are most concerned about protecting their financial data online, suggesting this is their biggest concern.
“The population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is digitally savvy and very conscious about the security of online transactions. It was therefore imperative that we addressed these concerns and offer trust and confidence in our platforms to both our consumers and businesses. Becoming PCI-DSS certified demonstrates our understanding and flexibility to localize as per the needs of our users in the Kingdom. They demand and deserve nothing less than the highest standards and we will do our best to meet and exceed those expectations at all times. We are proud to be taking the lead for secure online payments in the e-gifting space in the Kingdom,” said Ehab AL Khiary Senior Director of YouGotaGift KSA.
YouGotaGift has partnered up with leading loyalty, employee, and customer rewards programs in the Kingdom and the wider GCC serving thousands of corporates and hundreds of thousands of individuals through API integrations, online services, and apps.
While digital shopping has been a popular method of shopping in the Middle East, during the pandemic it has grown to become the option of choice. A study of the GCC revealed that the size of the e-commerce market in the GCC is expected to hit $19.7 billion this year alone, with Saudi Arabia accounting for the biggest share at $8.3 billion, followed by the UAE at $7.5 billion. It was noted that shoppers were rapidly moving away from cash and opting for contact-free and digital payment experiences for faster, convenient and secure transactions.
“We have witnessed an acceleration in the demand for eGift Cards since the break of the pandemic. With this upsurge in e-gifting, it was essential that we scale our safety and security measures and opting for the industry certification (PCI-DSS) was a natural fit. As such, this marks an important milestone in our world-class eGift Card platform. Being PCI-DSS compliant, the undisputed global certification for data security and compliance, is a major achievement. In 2013, we were the Region’s First eGift Card platform, and now we are the Region’s First PCI Certified eGift Card platform. We are building to be the most trusted and innovative business partner in the Middle East and beyond.” said Mr. Husain Makiya, CEO and Founder of YouGotaGift.
The process to attain the PCI-DSS certification was extensive and deep-rooted. As the first digital platform of its kind in the region, YouGotaGift has continued to scale its tech and security initiatives to be aligned with global standards, building on world-class technology and e-commerce solutions. This certification is a reflection of the company’s continued efforts to enhance safety and establishes it as a trustworthy partner with its users and partners.
As digital shopping and e-gifting continues to grow, customers and business will increasingly demand quality certifications. It is therefore recommended that businesses adhere to international quality certifications and customers shop only from certified websites.
