WhatsApp, the social messaging platform will adhere to RBI's norms of data localization and store consumers payment data locally i.e. in India by June-July. Soon after which the company will approach the RBI for a fresh go-ahead.

Currently, the company is running a pilot programme for its service, WhatsApp Payments with as many as 10 lakh users on board. "RBI has been following up with NPCI relating to the status of compliance by WhatsApp with respect to the circular. As informed by NPCI vide letter dated November 16, 2018 and email dated February 5, 2019, WhatsApp is non-compliant with the RBI circular," it informed.

In April, RBI mandated all payment gateways to maintain payment system information as well as processing locally. The information includes complete end-to-end transaction details, information collected, carried and processed as part of the message as well as payment instructions.

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