WhatsApp is preparing to open its payment platform to the public in India, following a brief closed cabinet testing period, it has been revealed.
The feature allows users to transfer money to family and friends using nothing but their mobile number – provided they have WhatsApp Payments configured on their handset – according to a source familiar with the Facebook-owned firm’s plans.
Image: WABetaInfo
Screenshots obtained by WABetaInfo reveal that WhatsApp Payments utilises a real-time payment system called Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to process transactions in India, where it’s supported by a slew of the region’s leading banks.
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There’s no word on whether Facebook is planning to launch WhatsApp Payments in the United Kingdom after it debuts in India, but seeing as Messenger features its own payment platform in the realm, it’s safe to say an expansion is on the cards.
We’ve reached out to WhatsApp to see if it can shine a light on how exactly WhatsApp Payments works and if it’s considering bringing it to other countries following its impending launch in India, and will update this piece if we hear back.
Do you think WhatsApp will launch Payments outside of India? Be sure to let us know over on Facebook or Twitter @TrustedReviews.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.