Nvidia’s $100 Billion OpenAI Investment Faces Internal Doubts, Report Says 
Advantest Shares Hit Record High on Strong AI-Driven Earnings and Nvidia Demand 
Apple Forecasts Strong Revenue Growth as iPhone Demand Surges in China and India 
OpenAI Reportedly Eyes Late-2026 IPO Amid Rising Competition and Massive Funding Needs 
Apple Faces Margin Pressure as Memory Chip Prices Surge Amid AI Boom 
Amazon Stock Dips as Reports Link Company to Potential $50B OpenAI Investment 
Nvidia Confirms Major OpenAI Investment Amid AI Funding Race 
Microsoft AI Spending Surge Sparks Investor Jitters Despite Solid Azure Growth 
SpaceX Reports $8 Billion Profit as IPO Plans and Starlink Growth Fuel Valuation Buzz 
Samsung Electronics Posts Record Q4 2025 Profit as AI Chip Demand Soars 
Sandisk Stock Soars After Blowout Earnings and AI-Driven Outlook 
Meta Stock Surges After Q4 2025 Earnings Beat and Strong Q1 2026 Revenue Outlook Despite Higher Capex 
US Judge Rejects $2.36B Penalty Bid Against Google in Privacy Data Case 
SpaceX Updates Starlink Privacy Policy to Allow AI Training as xAI Merger Talks and IPO Loom 
Palantir Stock Jumps After Strong Q4 Earnings Beat and Upbeat 2026 Revenue Forecast 
Apple Earnings Beat Expectations as iPhone Sales Surge to Four-Year High 
WhatsApp launched a service earlier this year called WhatsApp Pay with relatively minimal requirements to allow users to transfer and receive payments. However, codes found in a recent beta build suggest that the Facebook-owned tech company might be considering adding an identity verification process in the future.
WhatsApp beta v2.21.22.6 was released a few days ago and XDA Developers found new code strings hinting at a possible verification process for WhatsApp Pay. One of the relevant code strings includes a message that reads: “Your identity couldn't be verified. Try uploading the documents again.” Another code string is also designed to display the prompt: “Verify your identity to continue using payments on Whatsapp.”
Currently, the WhatsApp Pay service is only widely available in India. One of the few requirements to receive and transfer money from the app is by using a verified mobile number linked to a legitimate bank account. Other than that, the app does not ask users to submit identification documents to use WhatsApp Pay.
In a statement to the publication, WhatsApp India confirmed that mobile numbers linked to bank accounts remain the only requirement to use WhatsApp Pay. “Payments on WhatsApp, is approved by National Payments Corporation of India and powered by BHIM UPI that enables transactions with legitimate banking partners,” the company said. “Like other UPI payment applications, a user needs to ensure that the mobile number is the same as the one linked to their bank account,to start sending and receiving money, through payments on WhatsApp.”
However, WhatsApp India did not directly comment on whether or not it is working on expanding the verification process by requiring IDs. The same report speculates the identification documents could be in the works because the company might be planning to launch WhatsApp Pay in a region where it would be required. The verification process might also be in development solely for businesses or for a potential wallet feature. In any of these cases, WhatsApp India users might still be able to receive and transfer money with just a verified mobile number.
As mentioned, the code strings related to a potential WhatsApp Pay identity verification requirement are still in beta. While it is most likely in development, there is also a chance for WhatsApp to opt not to officially launch it on the app’s public build.
Photo by Mourizal Zativa on Unsplash
