A new report from India reveals that WhatsApp could be working on the ability to send peer-to-peer payments within the app.
WhatsApp continues to have a bumper ride into 2017 on the back of numerous updates last year, as well as the addition of Snapchat-style Stories this year. Now, the next major addition to the service could be the ability to make mobile payments within the app.
Rumours indicate that WhatsApp is seeking to move in on the demonetization movement in India, where digital wallet apps have thrived. WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton confirmed that his company as in the “early stages” of looking into payment services in February, according to TechCrunch.
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TechCrunch reached out to the instant messaging app for comment, and received an evasive response – the instant messaging company claimed that “India is an important country for WhatsApp, and we’re understanding how we can contribute more to the vision of Digital India. We’re exploring how we might work with companies that share this vision and continuing to listen closely to feedback from our users.”
The move would mirror another major change that Facebook brought to Messenger users in the US – last year, peer-to-peer payment became available on the platform. It is likely, then, that Facebook could opt to bring a similar slew of features to WhatsApp.
Should the ability to make mobile payments arrive on the platform, it would place the service in close competition with rivals such as Tencent’s WeChat.
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What are your thoughts? Would you be willing to use WhatsApp to make payments to friends or family, considering the concerns that have been raised surrounding the platform’s security in recent weeks? Be sure to let us know your opinion in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
