WhatsApp Must Follow All Rules Of UPI; 1 Million Users For Beta Allowed!

National Payments Corporation of India or NPCI, which is the parent body of Unified Payment Interface (UPI), has come out with a strong statement, supporting WhatsApp payment launch in India.

This clarification was much needed, after Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma launched a counter-offensive campaign against WhatsApp’s new payment interface, terming Facebook as world’s most evil company.

Facebook is the owner of WhatsApp.

Will this pacify Mr Sharma now?

NPCI: WhatsApp Payment Beta Test Ok With 1 Million Users

In his statements against WhatsApp Payment, Vijay Shekhar Sharma has alleged that NPCI should have first allowed WhatsApp to beta test their new payment feature with ‘few lakh users’ first, against rolling out the beta for all.

In their current statement issued by NPCI, they have made it clear that not all WhatsApp users would be allowed to test out the payments.

They have specifically stated that WhatsApp’s new payment interface would be only allowed for 1 million users as of now.

In their statement, NPCI said,

“Currently, NPCI has given its consent to roll out WhatsApp BHIM UPI beta launch with a limited user base of 1 million and low per transaction limit.”

Besides, not all banks would be allowed to participate in the WhatsApp payment beta testing as of now. As per NPCI, only four banks, which are already part of UPI program are allowed to take part in this exercise.

ICICI Bank was the only bank which showed in the initial screenshots of WhatsApp payment. But it seems that HDFC, State Bank of India and Axis Bank would be also allowed now.

There are currently 72 banks which are part of UPI network as of now.

Some reports indicate that YES Bank can also be allowed but in coming weeks.

All Rules Must Be Followed By WhatsApp

Sharma had also alleged that Facebook and WhatsApp are ‘arm-twisting’ NPCI, and because of this, they have been lenient towards them in the implementation of rules and regulations pertaining to UPI based payment.

Giving examples, Sharma had said that WhatsApp allowed payments to be sent and received without any login or OTP, which is not a case with Paytm.

NPCI has cleared this doubt as well, as they have stated that before full-fledged roll out, WhatsApp must adhere to all rules and regulation of UPI.

In their statement, NPCI said,

“Broad principles for interoperability like a) ability to send and receive money through any BHIM UPI ID b) intent and collect call and c) read and generate BHIM / Bharat QR code are required in final BHIM UPI app. BHIM UPI enabled app which fulfils such principles only will be permissible for full-scale public launch.”

Hence, it now clear that Whatsapp will have to follow the rules of logins and OTPs, and the payment mechanism is expected to alter in coming days.

Whatsapp has clearly an edge over here, as 200 million+ users are already using the app, and it is just a matter of time before their payment interface becomes the de-facto digital platform for carrying on transactions, digitally.

Although Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma has received his replies, he is surely feeling the heat of competition now.

When Whatsapp payment is launched full-fledged, will you ditch Paytm? Or cashback offers will determine your choice?

Do let us know by commenting right here!