It is a known fact that WhatsApp is the most widely used App in India and is enjoying the dominant position. But, recently, it has come to notice that WhatsApp is abusing its dominant position by offering payment options to its extensive network of app users in the country.
Competition Committee of India also considered as the antitrust watchdog is reviewing the complaint of an anonymous lawyer as reported by Reuters. The lawyer's identity has not been revealed, but the complaint states that WhatsApp Pay is penetrating the digital payment market of the country by using its powerful market position.
Initially, Facebook and WhatsApp did not comment on the anonymous complaint, but now it can deter their project. WhatsApp already in Beta testing the launch of the payment system in India and the complaint which was launched in Mid-march can create problems as CCI is reviewing the complaint.
The inside sources told Reuters that CCI is reviewing the complaint and can probe detailed investigation if they sense foul play or will simply throw out the case. They further said," The case is in initial stages .. senior members of CCI are reviewing it, but a final decision hasn't been reached."
WhatsApp is bundling two of its features WhatsApp Messenger Service and Payment feature. The antitrust complaint states that it will hamper competition and violate antitrust laws of the country.
The complainant has filed a complaint against Facebook and WhatsApp both, but has requested investigation against the latter only added the source.
It is a second setback against WhatsApp India, as earlier the legal Think Tank of India has filed a case in Supreme Court restricting the payment services of WhatsApp because it will violate the data storage rules.
The antitrust complaint is undoubtedly a setback, but it can escape a detailed investigation by CCI till the time the feature is not officially launched in India
