WhatsApp announced on Wednesday, September 20, that it would accept credit card payments and services from competing digital payment providers within its app in India, the company's latest gamble to expand its commerce capabilities in its largest region.

In India, WhatsApp has almost 500 million users, but regulators have limited its in-app WhatsApp Pay service to only 100 million individuals. People purchasing on WhatsApp could also pay using popular services such as Alphabet Inc's Google Pay, Paytm, and Walmart's PhonePe, but only after being redirected from the app.

Payments via those competing services — as well as any others that use India's rapid money transfer technology UPI — will soon be allowed straight within WhatsApp, according to Meta in a blog post. New in-app credit and debit card alternatives will also be available.

The additions support Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's aim for business messaging to become the "next major pillar" of the company's sales growth, an agenda that has gained urgency as Meta's primary ad business and metaverse project have faced challenges.

According to the blog post, the new payment options would be available to any organisation in India that uses WhatsApp's business platform, which mostly services big companies.

Also Read: India leading the world in embracing messaging to get things done, says Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg

(Edited by : Amrita)

First Published:Sept 20, 2023 11:56 AM IST