WhatsApp on Thursday launched a year-end assessment of 2021 to offer a glance again on the key highlights of its new function launches and companies provided in India — its largest market — all year long. The on the spot messaging app was utilized by numerous state governments and civic our bodies within the nation to offer COVID-19 associated info and assets to residents. It additionally enabled customers to ebook COVID-19 vaccines. Alongside important companies, WhatsApp launched options together with View Once for media content material and encrypted backups to supply an improved use expertise this 12 months. WhatsApp additionally expanded its funds function in India in 2021.

WhatsApp initiatives to assist struggle in opposition to COVID-19

The 12 months 2021 introduced a drastic affect of COVID-19 in India. While the standard authorities assets lacked at many levels, 15 state governments launched devoted COVID-19 helplines on WhatsApp to offer entry to assets and vaccination appointment bookings. Central and state administrations additionally used the WhatsApp Business platform to attach with residents and drive COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the nation.

The central authorities partnered with the moment messaging app owned by Meta (beforehand often known as Facebook) in 2020 to launch the MyGov Corona Helpdesk. It was up to date earlier this 12 months to supply options together with COVID-19 vaccine appointment bookings and certificates downloads. WhatsApp claimed that over 55 million folks have thus far reached out to the MyGov Corona Helpdesk bot and over 12 million vaccine certificates have been downloaded until date. It can also be touted to assist ebook hundreds of thousands of vaccination appointments within the nation.

WhatsApp options launched in 2021 to enhance consumer expertise

In 2021, WhatsApp launched ephemerality options together with View Once and Default Disappearing Mode with a number of durations to assist present extra privateness to customers. The app additionally added options equivalent to Message degree reporting to let customers report accounts by flagging a particular message and encrypted backup to boost consumer security.

For an upgraded consumer expertise, WhatsApp introduced options together with Desktop Calling, Archive 2.0, Joinable group calls, and Cross platform migration. It additionally launched new sticker packs, Media net editor on the Web, and stickers in standing.

WhatsApp funds updates in 2021

Alongside different new options, WhatsApp funds additionally acquired a listing of updates. One of them was the brand new fee shortcut that’s obtainable throughout platforms together with Android and iOS to ease funds by the app. It additionally introduced Stickers in Pay Mode and cashbacks to persuade extra customers within the nation to pay utilizing WhatsApp. Further, WhatsApp reportedly acquired approval to double its funds providing within the nation to 40 million customers from the present 20 million restrict.

WhatsApp additionally enabled the Camera icon on its app to scan QR codes to successfully present entry to over 20 million QR-enabled shops within the nation. It additionally not too long ago began a pilot programme in 500 villages throughout Karnataka and Maharashtra to onboard the following 500 million Indian customers to the digital funds ecosystem and assist increase monetary inclusion within the nation.

WhatsApp for Business updates in 2021

WhatsApp not too long ago introduced its partnership with Uber to let customers ebook their cabs by the official Uber chatbot within the app. It was a global-first WhatsApp Business platform integration for the cab aggregator. In addition to Uber, Bharat Petroleum utilised WhatsApp Business to launch its chatbot known as Urja to assist present self service experiences for B2C and B2B use-cases. Indian Oil Corporation additionally used WhatsApp API platform to allow fuel bookings, reserving standing verify, and loyalty factors updates.

Aside from serving corporates and firms together with Uber by the enterprise platform, WhatsApp claimed that its Business app has been utilized by greater than 15 million small and micro companies. WhatsApp additionally tied up with commerce union Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). The partnership is claimed to assist allow ladies farmers from Kashmir to promote hundreds of kilograms of apples and cherries to prospects in Gujarat.

WhatsApp can also be working with Maharashtra-based organisation Mann Deshi Foundation to supply workshops for girls on numerous features of digital and monetary literacy and educate them utilizing the WhatsApp Business app.

As of July 2019, WhatsApp has 400 million customers in India. The app can also be notorious for reinforcing faux information and misinformation within the nation, although it usually brings updates to handle these issues to some extent. It additionally confronted robust criticism amongst customers, civil societies, and governments around the globe in 2021 for its privateness coverage replace that it will definitely placed on maintain in July.