Meta, the giant tech company, has introduced a new payment feature on its WhatsApp service for users and local business owners in Brazil. Announced on the company’s website on Tuesday, the feature allows Brazil’s WhatsApp users to pay businesses directly through the app’s end‑to‑end encrypted chat.
The functionality works like a shopping app: customers can search for goods or services offered by local businesses, add items to a virtual shopping cart, and complete the purchase with a few taps. The release stated, “On WhatsApp in Brazil, you can search for a business, browse goods and services, add them to your cart and make a payment all with just a few taps.” Payments can be made using Mastercard and Visa debit, credit, and prepaid cards issued by participating banks.
Small businesses using the WhatsApp Business app can link a supported payment partner—such as Cielo, Mercado Pago, or Rede—to create orders within the app and securely accept payments from customers. Meta assures users that card numbers are encrypted and securely stored, and each transaction requires a unique payment PIN.
While the feature is currently available only in Brazil, Meta indicated that plans to expand it to other countries are in the works.
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