FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Visa Inc. on Thursday squelched rumors that it plans to stop processing online adult entertainment-related transactions, saying that statements circulating over the assertion are simply "not true."
Ted Carr, a spokesman for Visa, told XBIZ that currently there are no plans to halt processing for online adult charges.
"Our policy is that Visa cards should only be used in connection with legal transactions," Carr said. "If the transaction is legal, it’s allowed on our network. If it’s not legal, it’s not allowed."
Visa, which processed 62 billion transactions with a total volume of $4.4 trillion in 2009, provides financial institutions with Visa-branded payment products that they then use to offer credit, debit, prepaid and cash-access programs to their customers.
The processor does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers, but the company does set up policy for all of its transactions, including online adult charges.
Rumors of Visa's demise for adult have been heard for years, according to Mitch Farber, who leads NETbilling as president.
"If a time comes when it is true, there will not be warning or rumors," Farber told XBIZ." It will just come with an 'effective date.'
"While porn brings significant income through the bank networks and card associations, don't ever put it past them thinking that our industry is too big for it to happen."
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