Geolocation Technology and KYC

Things you need to know about Geolocation Technology

Long gone are the days when entities used IP addresses to verify location as a vital identity attribute. There are a number of challenges associated with IP address verification:

  • IP addresses can be easily spoofed. This means that a malicious actor can make it appear as if they are coming from a different IP address than they actually are. This makes it difficult to verify the identity of a user or device based on their IP address alone.
  • IP addresses can be shared. This means that multiple devices or users can be using the same IP address. This makes it difficult to determine which device or user is responsible for a particular activity.
  • IP addresses can be dynamic. This means that they can change over time. This can make it difficult to track the activity of a particular user or device.
  • IP addresses can be used as a proxy: A fraudster can use a proxy server to hide their IP address. This makes it more difficult to track them down and identify them.

On the other hand, Geolocation technology uses a variety of data points, including IP addresses, to determine the location of a device. It is more accurate than an IP address alone. 

In 2020, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) acknowledged the importance of geolocation data in strengthening digital identities in its “Guidance on Digital Identity.” As an example of dynamic, digital customer data sources that enable regulated entities to capture essential authentication information, geolocation was specifically highlighted.

What is Geolocation Technology?

Geolocation technology is a powerful tool that can be used to improve KYC compliance. By tracking the location of customers, financial institutions can identify potential risks and take steps to mitigate them.

For example, if a customer opens an account from a different country than they are known to live in, this could be a red flag. Financial institutions can use geolocation technology to flag these accounts for further review.

How Does Geolocation Help in KYC?

Geolocation technology can be used to help in KYC in a number of ways. For example, it can be used to:

  • Verify customer identities. By cross-referencing a customer’s IP address with their physical address, financial institutions can confirm that the person who is opening an account is who they say they are.
  • Identify potential risks. By tracking the location of customers, financial institutions can identify potential risks, such as customers who are opening accounts from different countries or who are using proxies or VPNs.
  • Prevent fraud. By tracking suspicious activity, such as customers who are making large or unusual transactions, financial institutions can prevent fraud and protect their customers.

Overall, geolocation technology is a valuable tool that can help financial institutions to comply with KYC regulations and reduce the risk of fraud.

Here are some of the specific ways in which geolocation can be used to help with KYC:

  • Verifying customer identities: When a customer opens an account, financial institutions can use geolocation technology to verify their identity. This can be done by cross-referencing the customer’s IP address with their physical address. This helps to ensure that the person who is opening the account is who they say they are.
  • Identifying potential risks: Financial institutions can use geolocation technology to identify potential risks. For example, if a customer opens an account from a different country than they are known to live in, this could be a red flag. This information can be used to flag accounts for further review.
  • Preventing fraud: Financial institutions can use geolocation technology to prevent fraud. For example, if a customer makes a large or unusual transaction, this could be a sign of fraud. This information can be used to block transactions and protect customers from fraud.

Use Cases For Banks – Geolocation Technology for KYC 

Banks can use Geolocation Technology to verify customer identities, identify potential risks, and prevent fraud.

Use case 1: When a customer opens an account, the bank can use geolocation technology to verify their identity by cross-referencing the customer’s IP address with their physical address. This helps to ensure that the person who is opening the account is who they say they are.

Use Case 2: The bank can also use geolocation technology to identify potential risks. For example, if a customer opens an account from a different country than they are known to live in, this could be a red flag. This information can be used to flag accounts for further review.

Use Case 3: The bank can use geolocation technology to prevent fraud. For example, if a customer makes a large or unusual transaction, this could be a sign of fraud. This information can be used to block transactions and protect customers from fraud.

Use Case 4: For merchant onboarding, financial institutions can use geolocation to verify that the business is located where they claim they are. This is especially useful in cases where the user is onboarding digitally.

Detecting financial fraud in 2023 with Signzy’s Geolocation API 

Signzy’s Geolocation API is a powerful tool that can be used to verify the identity of users and prevent fraud. It uses a variety of data points to determine the location of a user. This information can then be used to verify the user’s identity and to identify potential fraudsters.

The API is easy to use and can be integrated with any existing system. It is also highly accurate and reliable. Signzy’s Geolocation API is a valuable tool for any organization that wants to improve its KYC process and prevent fraud.

Here are some of the benefits of using Signzy’s Geolocation API for KYC:

  • Accuracy: It uses a variety of data points to determine the location of a user, which helps to ensure that the information is accurate.
  • Reliability: It is available 24/7 and can be used to verify the identity of users even in remote locations.
  • Ease of use: It can be integrated with any existing system and does not require any special training.
  • Affordability: It is priced competitively and offers a variety of pricing plans to fit any budget.

Financial institutions have less confidence in the true identity of their customers due to cybercriminals’ expertise in IP address fraud and other forms of location deception. With Signzy, banks, payment service providers, and other financial institutions can restore confidence and accuracy to their fraud detection tools.

Generational Shift in Banking

The Generational Shift is Redefining Banking Industry

In the world of banking, there’s a new kid on the block: Generation Z. While the industry has been adapting to millennial customers for some time now, Gen Z brings a whole new set of challenges and opportunities that banks can’t afford to ignore. But it’s not just about catering to younger generations – older customers also have unique needs and preferences that must be considered. In this blog post, we’ll explore the generational gap in banking and how it’s affecting the industry. 

What is the generational gap in banking?

The generational gap in banking refers to the differences in attitudes, behaviors, and expectations of different age groups regarding financial services. Each generation has unique values and experiences shaping their money management approach.

For example, Baby Boomers tend to prioritize stability and security over risk-taking. They may prefer traditional banking methods and are likelier to value personal relationships with bankers.

On the other hand, younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z are more inclined towards technology-driven solutions. They expect seamless digital experiences that allow them easy access to their finances on the go.

The rise of social media also plays a significant role in shaping these generational differences. Younger customers increasingly rely on peer reviews before deciding where they bank or invest.

Banks must recognize these diverging attitudes to cater effectively to all age groups. The key is finding a balance between high-tech offerings for younger customers while not alienating older ones who still value human interaction above all else.

How has the generational gap in banking affected banks?

The generational gap in banking has had a significant impact on the way banks operate today. With three distinct generations – Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X – each having different preferences and expectations regarding banking services, banks must adapt their strategies to meet the diverse needs of these groups.

One major effect of this gap is that traditional brick-and-mortar banks are losing relevance among younger consumers who prefer digital experiences. This means that banks need to invest more heavily in technology to stay competitive.

Another consequence is an increased focus on digital identity verification and know-your-customer (KYC) processes. Banks need to be able to verify customers’ identities quickly and securely, particularly as younger generations become increasingly adept at fraud prevention measures.

Age verification systems have become critical for financial institutions looking to appeal to younger customers while adhering to regulatory requirements. By implementing robust age verification protocols, banks can ensure compliance with legal obligations and protection against underage account opening or usage.

The generational gap in banking presents challenges for traditional financial institutions seeking to remain relevant in an ever-changing industry. However, understanding the unique needs of different customer segments, developing innovative technologies, and implementing effective KYC/AML protocols tailored to young people’s lifestyles will help them succeed going forward.

Gen Z versus Millenials versus Gen X

There’s no denying that different generations have unique perspectives on banking. Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X have different attitudes toward money management and financial institutions.

Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, are digital natives who expect convenience and instant gratification. They prefer online banking over visiting a physical branch and demand mobile apps with seamless user experience. This generation is also more open to alternative forms of payment, such as cryptocurrencies.

Millennials, born between 1981-1996, are known for valuing transparency in their banking services. They want to understand the fees associated with their accounts and often prioritize socially responsible investments. However, they may struggle with debt from student loans or credit cards.

Gen X represents those born between 1965-1980 who grew up without technology but adapted quickly after its introduction. They value stability in their bank accounts and stick with traditional banks rather than fintech startups.

Understanding the differences between these three generations can help banks tailor their services accordingly to serve each group’s needs better. From digital identity verification systems for Gen Z customers to offering debt counseling programs for Millennials struggling with student loans – each generation presents unique challenges that require tailored solutions from banks.

Conclusion

The generational gap in banking is a complex issue requiring banks’ careful consideration and attention. As digital natives like Gen Z continue to enter the workforce and demand more personalized digital experiences, it’s clear that traditional banks must adapt to stay relevant.

By implementing age verification systems and utilizing customer data to personalize their offerings, banks can bridge the generational divide and meet the needs of all customers – regardless of age.

Ultimately, by embracing change and staying on top of emerging technologies, banks can remain competitive in an ever-evolving landscape while providing exceptional service to customers across all generations.

 

About Signzy

Signzy is a market-leading platform redefining the speed, accuracy, and experience of how financial institutions are onboarding customers and businesses – using the digital medium. The company’s award-winning no-code GO platform delivers seamless, end-to-end, and multi-channel onboarding journeys while offering customizable workflows. In addition, it gives these players access to an aggregated marketplace of 240+ bespoke APIs that can be easily added to any workflow with simple widgets.

Signzy is enabling ten million+ end customer and business onboarding every month at a success rate of 99% while reducing the speed to market from 6 months to 3-4 weeks. It works with over 240+ FIs globally, including the 4 largest banks in India, a Top 3 acquiring Bank in the US, and has a robust global partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft. The company’s product team is based out of Bengaluru and has a strong presence in Mumbai, New York, and Dubai.

Visit www.signzy.com for more information about us.

You can reach out to our team at reachout@signzy.com.

New VPN Norms – Government’s Take On Privacy

VPN has always been a subject of debate in India. 

As per AtlasVPN’s report, India had over 348 million VPN downloads in 2021. Despite having such popularity in 2021, the government recommended a VPN ban in India for privacy concerns. Although the ban didn’t occur, the Indian government has introduced some new VPN norms or regulations for users, mainly for VPN companies. 

In April 2022, India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) announced a new regulation that VPN companies in India will have to collect and store customers’ data for at least five or more years. 

Unsurprisingly, these new VPN Norms are creating a lot of buzzes. How will this new law affect VPNs? How will it impact users? Are VPNs illegal in India? There are lots of questions arising. 

To answer all your questions, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the new VPN norms in India. But before digging deeper, let’s start with the basics: What is a VPN? 

What Is A VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a technology that allows you to connect securely to private networks over public networks. It creates an encrypted connection between your computer and a server so that your internet traffic is encrypted and can’t be intercepted by anyone else.

With a VPN, you can access websites in countries where they might not be available, or you can use it to get around censorship (a lot of countries have strict firewalls that block specific sites), secure remote work, and browse the internet anonymously.

What Are The New VPN Norms?

The key takeaways from the new VPN rules are:

  • According to the new law, all VPNs must gather and store user data (user names, physical address, email address, and phone numbers) for five or more years. 
  • VPN companies also have to keep a log of the reason behind using the service. 
  • VPNs should record all the IP addresses used by users to register. 
  • Along with VPN services, virtual service network providers, data centers, and cloud service providers have also been requested to keep track and store similar user data. 
  • VPN services must report cybersecurity incidents to CERT within six hours of becoming aware of them. 

What Is the Government’s Take On These New VPN Norms?

The main purpose of the government behind imposing these new VPN rules is to improve the “cyber security posture” and ensure people have access to a “safe and trusted internet”.

The CERT also informed that they had identified gaps in safeguarding against online threats. That’s why they’ve published the new norms to prevent cyber attacks. 

“If you are a VPN provider, if you are a data centre operator, if you are a cloud provider, and if you’re an enterprise, you have an obligation to know who’s using your VPN infrastructure… If there is a detected cyber incident or cyber breach — from one of the people using your VPN or your cloud or your data centre, it is your obligation to produce the data,”Rajeev Chandrasekhar,  Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology

How The New VPN Norms Impact Users & Companies 

The new rules received a lot of backlashes from the VPN companies. After all, the primary goal of VPN services is not to collect users’ personal information. 

The new norms will force these companies to store customer data which will increase costs and affect user privacy. 

India is among the top 10 VPN users around the globe. Various companies and individuals use VPN services to safely access private WiFi networks, remain anonymous, and many more. 

Several techies, students, and companies use VPNs to protect their data from third-party apps.

But with the new norms, they must go through a KYC process while registering a VPN. So, all VPN users will have their private data exposed to the government. 

It is also unclear how the government may use this data in the future. This raises a concern about the right to privacy for every individual. 

The Internet Freedom Foundation said the new norms lead to more concerns, such as the private enterprises and government “having more data than necessary”.

Several VPN companies like NordVPN, ProtonVPN, SurfShark, and ExpressVPN, have said that they are planning not to follow the newly imposed rules of India. After all, privacy is the main reason behind users investing in their premium plans. 

As per several VPN companies, they’ll continue to offer their no-logs policy to the users and threaten to pull back their service from India. 

The Bottom Line 

Despite all the backlashes from cybersecurity experts, stakeholder companies, and business advisory groups, the Indian government is pretty much firm on their new VPN norms. 

“If you don’t want to go by these rules, and if you want to pull out, then frankly … you have to pull out.” – Rajeev Chandrasekhar,  Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology

The privacy experts have sought public consultation on this matter, asking for more tech industry involvement to find a solution that suits every individual. Lastly, it’s needless to say that it will be interesting to see if the VPN companies manage to implement the new norms before the deadline of September 25, 2022.   

About Signzy

Signzy is a market-leading platform redefining the speed, accuracy, and experience of how financial institutions are onboarding customers and businesses – using the digital medium. The company’s award-winning no-code GO platform delivers seamless, end-to-end, and multi-channel onboarding journeys while offering customizable workflows. In addition, it gives these players access to an aggregated marketplace of 240+ bespoke APIs, easily added to any workflow with simple widgets.

Signzy is enabling ten million+ end customer and business onboarding every month at a success rate of 99% while reducing the speed to market from 6 months to 3-4 weeks. It works with over 240+ FIs globally, including the 4 largest banks in India, a Top 3 acquiring Bank in the US, and has a robust global partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft. The company’s product team is based out of Bengaluru and has a strong presence in Mumbai, New York, and Dubai.

Visit www.signzy.com for more information about us.
You can reach out to our team at reachout@signzy.com

Written By:

Signzy

Written by an insightful Signzian intent on learning and sharing knowledge.

Automated KYB- Relevance & Normalization

The anti-money laundering software market is projected to reach $1.77 billion by 2023. This means that banks and financial institutions are improving their processes like KYC, KYB, and AML. But we need a closer look at why this is happening, its relevance, and how we can normalize active automation.

Banks and other financial institutions have long been the central focus of all commercial activity. They must carry out due diligence at each stage of the client journey, which is a huge duty. A compromise in that financial system might have financial and security repercussions worldwide in today’s digital age.

Ironically, the least concerning possible problems are fraud and money laundering. As a result, banks may unknowingly assist in funding international terrorism, illegal drug use, and human trafficking. Banks can help KYCC by using increased due diligence techniques in the KYB and KYC verification process to reduce the possibility of onboarding non-compliant organizations.

 

KYB- A Deeper Look And Better Solution

The financial sector is aware of the conflict it is facing. Banks and other financial institutions realized the value of KYB and AML/KYC compliance after being the target of ongoing cyberattacks, scandals, embezzlement, and fraud schemes. Many Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) don’t, though. Even some huge organizations disregard AML/KYC compliance due to the expense of onboarding new customers.

Banks are ultimately at risk due to assumptions made by other industries. For example, one company made a hiring decision based only on intuition, believing the position to be entry-level and exempt from intrusive background investigations. HR promoted this employee to a crucial decision-making position a few years later, assuming the background check was completed earlier.

 

Why KYB Should Be Genuine And Effective

Everyone inside and outside the financial industry must contribute to AML/KYC compliance to protect the sector. Companies should not just seek digital KYC verification to avoid fines for non-compliance. Instead, all businesses, from SMEs to major multinationals, should feel compelled by moral and ethical principles to investing in rigorous KYB and KYC verification services.

The secret to stopping fraud and boosting global security is making sure the people you bring on board are reliable. That is why it is crucial for financial institutions to implement an efficient KYB and KYC verification process.

Before beginning a commercial connection, B2B customers and their clients must undergo worldwide ID verification and behavior monitoring as part of the KYB verification process to assess their risk and sustainability.

Businesses and banks make sure that transactions are consistent with their risk profile by doing regular behavior monitoring. In addition, employee records and other important information are maintained secure and current with the help of effective digital identity management.

Knowing a company’s high-risk clients and business partners helps to protect your company’s reputation from being accused of criminal carelessness for facilitating the movement of illegal monies.

 

How to Make Automated KYB and KYC Verification the Norm in Your Business? 

To achieve AML/KYC compliance, developing your KYB and KYC verification procedure is an excellent place to start. Transparency in financial activities can be ensured by adhering to local, regional, and international AML/CFT laws and regulations, including those of the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), the United States, and others. Concerning ongoing client screening and risk assessment, having quick access to the pertinent worldwide watch lists, spam lists, and sanction lists are helpful.

As previously mentioned, verification for commercial entities can be time-consuming, and even ID card verification is more complex with the proper global ID verification system.

Databases

Your digital KYC verification system must have access to the appropriate databases to swiftly validate IDs and documents, checking watchlists, and evaluate the risk to guarantee that you comply with AML/KYC regulations. Most identity verification service providers can validate customers’ IDs; they do not offer tools for behavior monitoring or document verification services.

Digital Identity Management And Relevant Laws

Data collecting and digital identity management are disadvantages of the DIY method for building your own digital KYC verification system. Businesses occasionally need to remember that there are rules for data handling in addition to using client information to inform customers of impending changes and events. In addition, consumers can maintain control over their data thanks to the Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Act on Protection of Personal Information (APPI), which will have the same extensive effects for third-party data suppliers outside of Japan as the GDPR, has now been implemented as Japan’s equivalent of the GDPR. In cross-border ID verification, these data requirements and digital identity management should be included in the cost of customer onboarding. In addition, providers of identity verification services must also accommodate mobile ID verification.

Identity Verification With KYC And KYC

Combining their current customer onboarding procedure with mobile ID verification is the one grey area where banks and other financial institutions struggle. However, artificial intelligence-powered automated customer onboarding systems may be of assistance.

Providing an automated KYC verification method that detects fraudulent information faster than humans could help close the gap between banks and businesses. In addition, KYB and KYCC should be carried out in unison and with perfect online ID verification as part of B2B customer onboarding.

 

Bottomline

KYB adoption is no longer the issue. Enterprises are looking forward to automation and its normalization for improved identity verification. You can avail of effective solutions for automation at www.signzy.com.

 

About Signzy

Signzy is a market-leading platform redefining the speed, accuracy, and experience of how financial institutions are onboarding customers and businesses – using the digital medium. The company’s award-winning no-code GO platform delivers seamless, end-to-end, and multi-channel onboarding journeys while offering customizable workflows. In addition, it gives these players access to an aggregated marketplace of 240+ bespoke APIs that can be easily added to any workflow with simple widgets.

Signzy is enabling ten million+ end customer and business onboarding every month at a success rate of 99% while reducing the speed to market from 6 months to 3-4 weeks. It works with over 240+ FIs globally, including the 4 largest banks in India, a Top 3 acquiring Bank in the US, and has a robust global partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft. The company’s product team is based out of Bengaluru and has a strong presence in Mumbai, New York, and Dubai.

Visit www.signzy.com for more information about us.

You can reach out to our team at reachout@signzy.com.

 

Written By:

Signzy

Written by an insightful Signzian intent on learning and sharing knowledge.

Tokenization of Cards for Payment Security

The global online shopping market is growing rapidly, reaching almost 4 trillion in 2020. Unfortunately, customers are relying heavily on online shopping so much that the possibilities of payment fraud and cyberattacks are on the rise. According to research by OpSec Security, 86% of customers were victims of some data breach or credit or debit card fraud in 2020. 

From the statistics, it’s evident that payment security is the need of the hour. As a result, every online business is looking for solutions to safeguard its customers’ data from cybercrimes. 

And this is where the tokenization of cards can help. The fintech industry introduced the tokenization of cards to intensify security against account misuse or data fraud. 

Recently, in India, RBI issued guidelines to secure sensitive information or data for debit and card care transactions through CoF (Card on File) tokenization regulations. 

But what is tokenization? How does it ensure payment security? If you’re new to the term, you’ve come to the right place. This article will help you understand everything you need about tokenization in 2022. 

 

What Is Tokenization?

In the fintech industry, the term tokenization has been buzzing over the last few months. It is the process of replacing or substituting sensitive data with randomly generated, unique symbols, phrases, or keywords known as tokens. 

If you’re a credit or debit card holder, tokens will represent your card’s information like card number, CVV number, and bank details during the payment process. The tokenization process ensures that your payment card details remain secured and don’t get exposed.

The tokenization of payment cards is available in several countries, including the USA, Australia, Europe, and India. This method is also massively used because the PCI DSS ( Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards) has encouraged the adoption of payment tokenization. 

As online data breaches have skyrocketed across the industry, the tokenization method has gained popularity among online merchants. Tokenization provides security against data breaches, reduces red tape, and gains customer confidence. 

The tokenized data is always protected, as hackers can do nothing with the tokens. Also, the merchant doesn’t have to manage their customers’ sensitive data, which results in reduced costs and a low risk of data breaches. 

Paytm, India’s largest payments and financial services company, said they had tokenized over 28 million cards across Mastercard, Visa, and RuPay to secure online payments. 

“Paytm is committed to safe and secure online payments, and in that direction, RBI’s tokenization efforts are a key milestone for the industry. We recognised the need for tokenized cards and implemented the same on Paytm app. We are seeing incredible success, and this will go a long way in bringing India’s payment system online while also making it trustworthy and safe for customers.”Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder, and CEO of Paytm

 

How Does Tokenization Work? 

Before tokenization, you had to enter your credit or debit card details (your name, card’s expiry date, CVV number, and 16-digit card number) each time you made an online payment. Now all these payment details get stored by the payment processor or online merchant’s platform. 

With tokenization, your card details or number will be replaced by a unique token number. Your card network or bank randomly generates this token number. And the card network or the respective bank has API systems to analyze your card and token number, so the payment gets credited or debited to the cardholder’s account without storing any data. 

Here is a step-by-step process that explains the tokenization process of credit cards transaction: 

  1. You make an online purchase with your credit card details. 
  2. The sensitive data of the card is sent to the tokenization service provider. 
  3. The tokenization system tokenizes the card (replaces the sensitive data with a token) and sends it to the acquiring bank. 
  4. The bank uses the token to request authorization from the credit card company. 
  5. The bank secures the original payment information. Once the token supplied by you matches your account number, the transaction will be verified. 
  6. Once your payment is successful, the token will be returned to the merchant. 

In the future, when you’ll again purchase something from the same merchant, there will be different token sequences. This efficient security will boost client satisfaction and conversion rate. 

Source

The popularity of tokenization has increased the use of mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay. It is predicted that the use of mobile wallets (Apple and Google Pay) in North America is set to increase between 2020 and 2025. 

Wrapping Up 

The tokenization of cards is an example of how technology will impact the fintech industry in the future. That’s why several e-commerce sites and in-app payment apps are adopting this process.

As tokenization of payment cards removes the risk of saving your card details on the merchant site, you can expect enhanced security. 

Even if hackers try to steal the tokenized data, they won’t be able to link the card information with the token. Undoubtedly, it has the potential to lower the risk of data breaches significantly. 

 

About Signzy

Signzy is a market-leading platform redefining the speed, accuracy, and experience of how financial institutions are onboarding customers and businesses – using the digital medium. The company’s award-winning no-code GO platform delivers seamless, end-to-end, and multi-channel onboarding journeys while offering customizable workflows. In addition, it gives these players access to an aggregated marketplace of 240+ bespoke APIs that can be easily added to any workflow with simple widgets.

Signzy is enabling ten million+ end customer and business onboarding every month at a success rate of 99% while reducing the speed to market from 6 months to 3-4 weeks. It works with over 240+ FIs globally, including the 4 largest banks in India, a Top 3 acquiring Bank in the US, and has a robust global partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft. The company’s product team is based out of Bengaluru and has a strong presence in Mumbai, New York, and Dubai.

Visit www.signzy.com for more information about us.

You can reach out to our team at reachout@signzy.com.

 

Written By:

Signzy

Written by an insightful Signzian intent on learning and sharing knowledge.

 

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