WhatsApp to make payments, travel and everyday tasks easier: Bengaluru-based head Kunal Shah reveals his plans

WhatsApp started off as a messaging, photo sharing and video calling app. But, now it may soon become much more than that. The messaging app now wants to make everyday tasks like paying bills, accessing financial servives and staying connected even while travelling, a lot easier for its users. Kunal Shah, Bengaluru-based head of WhatsApp has recently outlined his vision on the micro-blogging site, X. He shared three key areas that the company would focus on, including richer communication and features, simpler everyday servives and greater use of AI, all while keeping privacy intact.

WhatsApp wants users to do more on the app

Kunal Shah recently took to X and shared that he had spent nearly four months at WhatsApp understanding what users expect from the platform.

Describing WhatsApp as a shared language spoken by more than three billion people, he wrote, "A WhatsApp chat is often where we start." He then shared how it includes using voice notes, stickers and messages to stay connected with family and friends. Explaining the company's priorities, Shah said, "Help people stay close to those who matter to them, and get more done on WhatsApp."

Voice notes, stickers and groups could get better

One of WhatsApp's priorities is to make conversations more expressive. Shah revealed that users send over 10 billion voice messages and more than four billion stickers on the platform every day. Now, WhatsApp may make voicenotes, stickers and videos more expressive yet keep it simple.

Payments, travel and everyday tasks on WhatsApp

WhatsApp wants to make everyday tasks convenient and easier without having to switch between multiple apps. He added, "Too many things start in a chat and end with many more steps somewhere else," referring to activities such as paying bills, borrowing money and staying connected while travelling.


He added that WhatsApp is working with financial services and telecom partners to make completing these tasks "as easy as starting them".

How AI could change WhatsApp

Artificial intelligence is another major focus. Shah said the technology should help users find what they need, complete tasks and avoid missing important bookings or appointments.

He explained that AI should "quietly find what you need, get things done" and save users time.

WhatsApp says privacy will remain unchanged

Despite its plans to introduce more services, the company says user privacy will remain a priority.

Shah pointed out that WhatsApp handles over 100 billion messages and two billion calls every day. Emphasising the importance of trust, he said personal messages and calls would continue to remain "end-to-end encrypted".

He added that WhatsApp would remain "simple, reliable and private" even as the platform expands its services.