The case against WhatsApp was lodged in March this year
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday dismissed a case against WhatsApp, sayig it has not abused its dominant position to expand its digital payment platform WhatsApp Pay, news agency Reuters reported. A case in March alleged that WhatsApp was bundling the digital payment facility within its messaging app for which it already has a large user base. The case alleged WhatsApp was abusing its position by forcing its payments feature on to its existing users.
According to Reuters, in a 41-page official order CCI said it did not find any contravention of antitrust laws, adding the company’s “actual conduct is yet to manifest in the market” as it has not fully launched the service yet. “As stated by WhatsApp, the number of users being served under the beta version is limited to less than 1% of its users in India,” said the order.
The order will come as a relief for WhatsApp, which is seen close to a full launch of its payments service in its biggest market by users but one where it has for months struggled to get required clearances. The Supreme Court is separately hearing cases challenging the expansion of its payment service.
