MILLIONS of WhatsApp fans may soon have to verify their identity before using one of its most popular features.
A beta version of the US chat app recently released to users indicates that they may be asked to provide documentation before using WhatsApp Payments.
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That’s the in-app money transferring system that allows people to send cash to their contacts at the tap of a button.
Payments launched in Brazil and India last year. It is not yet available in the UK or US, though it’s expected to roll out to these regions eventually.
In India, users of the tool currently verify their identity by providing the phone number linked to their bank account.
In Brazil, WhatsApp Payments uses Facebook Pay to validate credit or debit card information.
According to XDA Developers, the recent v2.21.22.6 beta release suggests that the verification procedure is about to get a lot tighter.
Code within the beta suggests that WhatsApp could soon ask for identification documents before allowing people to use Payments.
The app could block you from the feature until you’ve provided a scan of your ID.
It’s not clear why WhatsApp would need these documents in order to verify an account and activate Payments.
The company is possibly on the verge of expanding the feature to a nation or region where those documents are a legal requirement.
It’s also not clear what type of identification would be required. It’s likely a driving license or passport would be among the accepted documents.
Beta versions of apps are early versions of software that are rolled out to testers before they’re given the green light for general release.
As such, it’s possible that the verification feature could be scrapped by developers before it’s rolled out to WhatsApp’s 2billion users.
The Sun has reached out to WhatsApp for comment.
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg announced the release of WhatsApp payments last year, calling it “a secure and consistent way to make payments”.
It’s free to use, with no commission fees. However, businesses that use it will need to pay a small processing fee.
Users need to use either a fingerprint scan or six-digit PIN to complete a payment.
“We’re making sending and receiving money as easy as sharing photos,” billionaire Zuckerberg explained.
“We’re also enabling small businesses to make sales right within WhatsApp.”
WhatsApp has added a brand new button that makes your Group Chats much more powerful
In other news, WhatsApp will be blocked on millions of phones forever next week.
A US journalist has described his shock after his phone was hacked using military-grade software designed to spy on terrorists and drug lords.
Facebook removes less than three per cent of violent hate-filled posts, a whistleblower has claimed.
The social media giant plans to change its company name as part of a rebrand expected to be announced in the coming days.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
