Data protection and ringfencing
Built on trust. Designed for collaboration.
Ethoca's global collaboration network enables merchants, issuers and partners to securely exchange information that helps prevent fraud, reduce disputes and improve customer experiences. Because the network supports participants across the payments ecosystem, helping protect customer and partner data is fundamental to how Ethoca operates.
As part of Mastercard, Ethoca maintains a ringfencing framework designed to help protect participant data and support the continued operation of its brand-agnostic services. This framework was established following Mastercard's acquisition of Ethoca to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and competition law while preserving customer trust.
What is ringfencing?
Ringfencing is a governance and data protection framework that helps ensure certain data within Ethoca is managed separately and subject to specific controls. These controls apply to confidential competitor and brand-agnostic data that is shared as part of Ethoca's services.
The goal is to support collaboration across the payments ecosystem while helping protect information shared within the network.
How Ethoca helps protect customer data
Ethoca's ringfencing approach combines governance, operational controls and defined access requirements designed to help safeguard participant information. Internal documentation highlights several key controls, including:
Role-based access controls
Access to Ethoca data is restricted based on approved business needs and authorized customer purposes. Access is managed through role-based controls to help ensure information is available only to individuals who require it to perform their responsibilities.
Dedicated governance and oversight
Ethoca's ringfencing program is supported by dedicated legal, privacy and ringfencing team members to ensure proper management of ringfencing policies, including training.
Privacy-first data management
Ethoca follows established privacy principles, including controls related to data storage, security and purpose limitation. New uses of data are subject to privacy review processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ethoca process non-Mastercard transaction data?
Yes. Ethoca's services are designed to support brand-agnostic participation across the payments ecosystem, including data associated with multiple payment networks and ecosystem participants. Internal Ethoca guidance specifically reinforces the ability to process non-Mastercard data at scale.
Why is ringfencing important?
Ringfencing helps protect the integrity of the Ethoca network by ensuring participant data is managed with appropriate safeguards. This allows customers to collaborate with confidence while maintaining trust in the network and its services.
Does ringfencing limit collaboration?
Ringfencing is designed to support trusted collaboration across merchants, issuers and partners while helping ensure appropriate protections are applied to data shared within the network.