Thousands of people were googling the phrases ‘delete PayPal’ and ‘cancel PayPal’ after plans were announced to fine users over €2,500 for making false claims online about the company.
According to new analysis, the Google search engine saw a 1,392% rise in the number of people trying to rid themselves of the app before the new rules came into play.
However, the announcement made by PayPal - which caused an uproar on social media - has since been retracted and a spokesperson for the company defended the update saying: “PayPal is not fining people for misinformation and this language was never intended to be inserted in our policy.”
READ MORE: Irish arm of PayPal recorded over €54m profit in 2021 but still cut over 300 jobs
The new policy was due to come into play on November 3 this year and would have seen anyone publishing false rumours or misinformation about the company being fined €2,582 per violation.
The study revealing a massive rush to delete the app, conducted by Financial World, showed how Google search data exploded with searches for ‘delete PayPal' and ‘cancel PayPal’ right across the globe.
A spokesperson for Financial World commented on the findings and 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.
Meanwhile, they said, “famous faces, including Elon Musk, have been in agreement that the new policy is misguided.”
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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