The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) deadline for sending submissions regarding eBay's controversial PayPal-only policy is nearing. Submissions are due by May 2, 2008 and can be sent via postal mail, email (adjudication@accc.gov.au) or fax. Over 100 people and businesses have weighed in so far, and submissions can be read online on the ACCC's website.

Rival payment service Paymate disputed eBay's claim that it could not share risk data with its service in an interview with ITwire. "eBay say they cannot share risk data with Paymate - this is their restriction, not ours," said Mr Rao. "We already have a capability to place payments on hold until risk elements are investigated or an escrow process initiated for funds settlement subject to buyer approval - we can easily do this via integration with eBay."

He pointed to a buyer protection program integrated with the Oztion auction site. "They collaborate with us and promote our service. Similarly if eBay give us access to their marketplace, we would be more than happy to provide an equivalent buyer protection program."

In a separate posting, an ITwire a writer said PayPal is running a drawing for iPod nanos to attract new users, and called it a poorly timed promotion giving the furor over the new policy.