Kunal Shah, head of WhatsApp at Meta, outlined his priorities after about four months in the role, focusing on richer communication, simpler services, and AI assistance.

Shah said WhatsApp plans to improve voice notes, groups, stickers, and video. He added that the messaging app is working with financial services and telecom partners to make bill payments, borrowing, and travel connectivity easier on WhatsApp.

He also said AI could help users complete tasks and avoid missing bookings or appointments.

WhatsApp already offers payments through business messaging in India, where the National Payments Corporation of India has removed the user cap on WhatsApp Pay’s Unified Payments Interface service.

Shah said WhatsApp handles more than 10 billion voice messages and 4 billion stickers each day. He also said the app processes more than 100 billion messages and 2 billion calls daily. He reiterated that personal messages and calls remain end-to-end encrypted.

WhatsApp separately explains how Meta AI uses information and Private Processing. Any lending services in India would need to comply with applicable Reserve Bank of India digital lending guidelines.

🔗 Source: Kunal Shah