Follow Us
New Delhi, August 19
The Competition Commission has dismissed a complaint of alleged unfair business practices by popular messaging platform WhatsApp with respect to digital payments market in the country.
It was alleged that Facebook-owned WhatsApp has abused its dominance in the ‘market for internet-based messaging application through smartphones’ to manipulate another market — ‘market for UPI enabled digital payment applications’ in its favour.
In a 41-page order, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said there was no violation of Section 4 of the Competition Act. This section pertains to abuse of dominant position.
To assess the complaint, the watchdog considered two relevant markets — ‘market for Over-The-Top (OTT) messaging apps through smartphones in India’ and ‘market for UPI (Unified Payment Interface) enabled Digital Payments Apps in India’.
According to the regulator, the informant has contended that WhatsApp will leverage its dominance in the upstream market to have a competitive edge over existing competitors.
The informant also seems to be distressed by the fact that while the other existing players spent considerable resources to establish themselves in the UPI-enabled digital payment app market, WhatsApp will get users on its platter without making any efforts, the CCI said in the order.
“The apprehensions of the informant, according to the Commission, don’t really hold much merit. As stated above, the UPI market is quite established with renowned players competing vigorously. In such a market, it seems implausible that WhatsApp Pay will automatically garner a market share merely on account of its pre-installation,” it noted. — PTI
No violation of Section 4: CCI
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
6
7