Whatsapp Payment faces another probe for violating India’s Antitrust laws

Team Udayavani, May 18, 2020, 10:14 AM IST

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is probing allegations against WhatsApp for trying to use its messaging user base to push the case for its digital payment service. It has been accused of abusing its dominant position by offering digital payments to its users.

The case is based on a complaint filed in mid-March by a lawyer saying the two products, WhatsApp messenger and payment feature can harm competition and violate India’s anti-trust laws.

WhatsApp Payments was looking to launch its services in India by the end of May 2020. The feature lets users link their bank account via UPI and giving them quick access to make payments without having to leave the messaging app. The digital payments project has reportedly partnered with ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and State Bank of India (SBI).

But, the case on Whatsapp has halted the launch of the service. Earlier, in April too, a case was filed in the Supreme Court which said WhatsApp’s Payment service should not be allowed to operate in the country as it was allegedly violating data storage rules.