Idempotency Keys: How PayPal and Stripe Prevent Duplicate Payment

Learn how PayPal and Stripe prevent duplicate payments using idempotency keys. Idempotency ensures transactions are executed once, preventing customers from being charged multiple times for the same purchase. The workflow of idempotency involves sending a payment request with an idempotency key, checking if the key has been seen before, and processing the request accordingly. Idempotency keys have expiration timeframes to prevent system overload. This innovation in digital payments enhances security and user experience.