WhatsApp rolls out payment service in India

Facebook-owned WhatsApp has rolled out its WhatsApp pay feature to users across India, enabling them to make secure payments through its messaging platform.

In a Tweet, WhatsApp said the new method of making payments and transferring money “is as easy as sending a text message”.

The platform employs the same Unified Payments Interface (UPI) like its predecessors Google Play, Phone Pay, and various other banking platforms.

Starting today, people across India will be able to send money through WhatsApp 💸 This secure payments experience makes transferring money just as easy as sending a message. pic.twitter.com/bM1hMEB7sb

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) November 6, 2020

To make payments, users will be required to have a bank account and a phone number that is linked to the account.

Whatsapp will then help users transfer the money to other people from your bank without the need to have the money held in a “WhatsApp wallet”.

The service is only available in India at the moment and is expected to roll out in Brazil later in November.