Paytm accusing WhatsApp of unfair play in digital payments!
By: Team Ifairer | Posted: 17-02-2018
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This isn't exactly correct though. In our testing, we were able to send money from Paytm to the VPA (virtual private address) a WhatsApp user found under Settings. Although WhatsApp is geared to make it easier to send and receive money between its users, it's not impossible to use it to send money or receive it from people who are not on the app. Further, the interoperability between banks is maintained - as long as your bank is on the UPI, it'll work with WhatsApp. However, WhatsApp on iPhone currently doesn't let you send money to any VPA of your choice, something other UPI-based apps support.
Abbot agreed with this, but said that it goes against the spirit of interoperability. "I should be able to send money to anyone, regardless of the app they're using," he said, "and the way they've designed it is highly hidden and you know users don't discover features that are buried behind menus."
He also rejected the argument that WhatsApp's UPI rollout was still a beta. "Beta should be invite only, the company controls who gets access, but if I'm on WhatsApp I can enrol everyone I know," he said. "Such a long period for beta also gives them an undue advantage."