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4
Risk Factors
Risks related to the Group’s business and industry
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Worldline
2016 Registration Document
markets will develop as expected, that the Group’s new products
not yet fully developed. No assurance can be given that these
source of future growth are new and address markets that are
Moreover, a number of the services the Group expects to be a
research and consulting firms expect. Similarly, many of the
mobile devices will develop as quickly or as successfully as
given that making purchases using mobile phones and other
important element of the Group’s strategy, no assurance can be
For example, although mobile commerce applications are an
investments it has made to develop such products and services.
new markets, or that the Group will fully recover the
Group will succeed in gaining significant market share in these
be consistent with developing industry-wide standards, that the
or services will secure wide client or consumer acceptance or
component of the Group’s services portfolio going forward, the
businesses to comprise an important and increasing
the ongoing digital transformation of retailers and other
the Group expects innovative solutions developed to address
their own customers are in their early stages. Additionally, while
clients have developed to market such connected solutions to
particular, to the fact that the business models that the Group’s
develop as quickly or to as great an extent as expected, due, in
vehicles are still in their early stages, and these markets may not
markets for Connected Living products such as connected
address their needs in a timely manner.
Group will be able to launch new and successful products to
in the same manner as they have in recent years or that the
their “digital reinvention” or adopt new technologies as swiftly or
Group cannot be certain that businesses will continue to pursue
damage its reputation.
Security breaches could disrupt the Group’s business and
any insurance maintained by the Group.
may either not be insured against or not fully covered through
Group’s financial exposure from the items referenced above
changes that would be costly for the Group to implement. The
may impose new or stricter security standards that require
of, or changes to, existing “cyber” security rules and regulations
operations and financial condition. Additionally, the introduction
material adverse effect on the Group’s business, results of
of damages and reputational harm and therefore have a
The loss of confidential information could result in the payment
Group for misuse of personal information, such as identity theft.
than a hardware failure and could result in claims against the
more significant impact on the Group’s business operations
card numbers and related information could have a longer and
the system and loss of confidential information such as credit
improperly obtained by third parties. An information breach in
associated with such protective measures could increase and
recovery systems in place. The costs of systems and procedures
business. Accordingly, the Group has security, backup and
information systems is critical to the successful operation of its
information that resides on the Group’s servers and other
confidentiality and integrity of the client and consumer
and tax information, among other consumer data. The
cardholder data, payment history records, personal medical data
personal consumer data, including names and addresses,
Group collects and processes a significant amount of sensitive
conduct attacks on its systems that could compromise the
payment and digital services industry may attract hackers to
visibility of the brands for which it processes data, in the global
information over the Internet. The Group’s visibility, or the
operations. These risks are increased when the Group transmits
or could otherwise cause interruptions in the Group’s
confidential information, the deletion or modification of records
systems or databases could result in the theft or publication of
safeguards, unauthorized access to the Group’s computer
therefore reduce the Group’s profitability. Notwithstanding these
policies, or where such information is intercepted or otherwise
employees or subcontractors acting contrary to the Group’s
the information, either by fault of the Group’s systems,
erroneously provided to parties who are not permitted to have
mishandling or misuse, for example, if such information were
upgrades to the Group’s safeguards. There is also a possibility of
protracted and result in the payment of damages and costly
litigation and other liabilities. Any such litigation could be
of its businesses and subject the Group to increased costs,
security of its data or could cause interruptions in the operations
of its clients. In addition, depending on the services offered, the
processes, stores and transmits sensitive business information
As part of its business, the Group electronically receives,
effect on the Group’s business and reputation.
personal consumer data could have a material adverse
regulations and industry security requirements relating to
Data privacy concerns or failure to comply with privacy
shared with advertisers or others could adversely affect the
user concerns about the extent to which personal information is
attitudes towards privacy are evolving, and future regulatory or
and services that address their preferences. User and regulatory
needs and behavior in order to develop more effective products
to deliver targeted advertising and better understand consumer
data to allow merchants, financial institutions and other clients
Group offers its clients are designed to analyze some of that
personal consumer data. Many of the value added services the
The Group’s systems collect, process and store vast quantities of
feasibility or marketability of such value added services.