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Isis mobile wallet changes name to Softcard so as not to sound like terrorist group

Isis Wallet will become Softcard so as to avoid sharing a name with the Islamic State.

By Gabrielle Levy
Isis Wallet has changed its name to Softcard.
Isis Wallet has changed its name to Softcard.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- A mobile wallet platform has decided it's time for a name change, now that "Isis" is associated less with an ancient Egyptian goddess and more with the militant group terrorizing the Middle East.

Isis Wallet said Wednesday it would change its name to Softcard, two months after announcing the decision to rebrand.

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"In a few weeks, Isis Wallet will become Softcard," a note on the company website reads. "It's a different name for the same great way to pay."

The group now calling itself the Islamic State, formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (or Iraq and the Levant), is an Islamist group that has taken over significant territory in Iraq and has released videos of the execution of two American journalists in recent weeks.

"However coincidental, we have no desire to share a name with this group and our hearts go out to those affected by this violence," Michael Abbott, the CEO of Isis, said in a message explaining the change.

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"Your current Isis Wallet will continue to work as it always has," he said. "In the next few weeks, we will launch the updated Softcard app. At that point, you can update your app as you normally would and see that your Isis Wallet has become Softcard."

Abbot said traces of the old name would linger due to the swiftness of the changeover.

Isis -- now Softcard -- is backed by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

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