Facebook announced its payment system, called Facebook Pay , on Wednesday, which will allow users to purchase items within the apps of participating partnering businesses. The system is currently available in only eight countries: the Philippines, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

The new Facebook pay system comes with a built-in payment mechanism at checkout. Unlike Google Wallet or Apple Pay , which use a virtual card, Facebook Pay uses your information on file to identify you and send the payment through your bank account. For added security, app developers have an option to require a fingerprint scan on mobile devices.

In order for users to access this feature, they must install a second app, called Facebook Payments for Messenger . Once the payment system is available in a user’s country, they will receive a notification in their Messenger app.

Facebook says that it won’t make money off of the transactions in the beginning; rather, it is focusing on growing its user base and getting more people to use this feature.

Some of the first apps to offer this service are Groupon, Uber, Lyft, Airbnb and Spotify. Facebook says that participating businesses will display a “Buy with Messenger” button on their app’s checkout page. Then at checkout time, users can pay for their purchase through Messenger.

How do you feel about Facebook Pay? Do you think it will help to grow Facebook’s user base?

Facebook Pay is the company’s new service that allows users to purchase items through their apps. Facebook Pay differs from other mobile payment systems, like Apple Pay and Google Wallet, by not requiring a virtual card . Instead, businesses use your information on file with Facebook to identify you. This means that, unlike other payment systems, Facebook Pay will not create a new credit card number for you to use—the whole process works through your existing account.

One potential security concern is the fact that many businesses are offering this option without requiring a secondary form of identification, like an email address or phone number. Lipa Lieberman , CEO of cybersecurity company Lieberman Software , says the new Facebook pay system is “smart in that it allows for single-click purchasing directly in the app. It’s dangerous because there’s no secondary authentication.” To help alleviate some of these concerns, Facebook has said that businesses will let users select between payment through Messenger and their existing password system.

How do you feel about Facebook Pay? Do you think it will help to grow Facebook’s user base?

Facebook announced its payment system, called Facebook Pay , on Wednesday, which will allow users to purchase items within the apps of participating businesses. Businesses can choose whether or not they want to require authentication for purchases—it is not required by default. However, users are able to select between Facebook authentication and their existing password system.

Facebook Pay will not be available at the initial launch of Messenger Platform 2.0 , which is scheduled for April 12, but it will eventually become a payment option on apps that have added Messenger as a way to login.