Why does Google Wallet depend not only on the Phone but the Carrier as well? I'm trying to use Google Wallet on a Moto X at Duane Reed.  I'm under the impression that this should work.

However, when I browsed the help file for Wallet, it lists a number of Moto-X compatible devices, but they also list the cellular service.


What is the technological, or vendor relationship that is needed in order to Google wallet work with Moto-X with T-Mobile?
Why is there a dependency outside of the actual phone?  Is the cellular operator working with Google, sharing my PII, and monitoring my transactions?


My goal is to understand the extent the cellular operator is monitoring my on-device actions, and purchases.
The Google Wallet Privacy Policy specifies that personally identifiable information and transaction data are only shared with the carrier if necessary to allow carrier billing (that is, where purchases made via Google Wallet appear on and are paid through your phone bill).

The relationship between Google and the carriers for this purpose is a purely business one. The only involvement of the carrier in the transaction is (a) if carrier billing is involved, as I said above, or (b) if you use 3G to make a payment over Internet, instead of through NFC. As eldarerathis says, several carriers have payment services that compete with Google Wallet, and Google can't afford to fall out with carriers.

If you're worried about privacy from your cellular operator, please do remember that they have the ability to "customize" your ROM, if you buy your phone through them. Software that monitors your on-device actions and purchases might already be installed on your phone, before you even start using Google Wallet