Much attention in the past week has been focused on data security. I only hope that if any retailers out there have as sloppy data protection policies in place as HM Revenue & Customs, they take this as an opportunity to learn lessons and get their houses in order.

With the payment card industry data security standard provisions, there is a clear set of guidelines in place for retailers to work towards. So no more nagging about protecting your customers’ data or warnings of the likelihood of increased powers for the Information Commissioner should be needed.

However, news earlier this week raised a security question of another kind.

Mobile phone operator O2 is to carry out a trial of contactless payment technology embedded in the phones of more than 500 of its customers.

The six-month pilot is taking place across selected sites in London and is designed to establish what services and functionality consumers would like in such a phone.

During the first phase, 225 testers will be given a Barclaycard Visa pre-paid card loaded on their handset enabling them to use it to make cashless payments of less than£10 at retail outlets in London that accept Visa payWave transactions. In the second phase, possible developments include PIN capability, allowing purchase of greater than£10 and reloadable/credit funds capability.

One of the partners in the scheme is Transport for London, which has played an active role in the mass adoption of contactless payment with its Oyster card. This is the same Transport for London that puts up posters telling people not to get their phones out right outside Tube stations, because it makes you a prime target for being mugged.

One of the main consumer objections to the combined Oyster and contactless payment card I have heard so far is around security. I’m happy to put an Oyster card in a back pocket or outside pocket on a handbag, but wouldn’t dream of doing the same with a credit or debit card.

And, at the moment, the same holds true for my mobile phone. The threat of pick pocketing and bag snatching – a threat that many retailers also face in and around their city centre stores – means I keep my phone out of sight too.

So where is the benefit to the (female) consumer in taking their phone out of their bag rather than their purse like they have always done? And where is the benefit to the merchant if the transaction isn’t completed any quicker than with a payment card (which it won’t be if women are fishing around in handbags looking for mobile phones)?

There is merit in O2’s idea. But perhaps it would be better focused working on a solution to make mobile phones worthless if they stolen; so they are no longer attractive to steal.

Then I’ll happily keep mine to hand and use it for quick payments.

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