Online Debate Over PhonePe’s New Rules

PhonePe is currently at the center of an online debate after informing users about charges on inactive wallets. The company has sent messages stating that wallets with no transactions for a year will attract fees, triggering widespread criticism. Users have taken to social media, questioning whether simply holding a wallet should lead to penalties and sharing screenshots of the notifications.

According to the company, wallets that remain unused for 12 months will be classified as inactive. A maintenance fee of ₹100 every three months will be charged on such wallets. While the policy is mentioned in its terms and conditions, the exact fee details were not clearly specified earlier. The company said it would notify users 15 days in advance, allowing them time to reactivate their wallets and avoid charges. It also clarified that merely using the app does not mean the wallet is active, and the collected fees will be used for operational purposes.

Users argue that PhonePe has become as essential for payments as messaging apps are for communication, with most transactions happening via UPI rather than wallets. Many people rarely use wallet features or even remember their last usage. Critics say imposing charges on inactive wallets is unfair and exploitative. Some users have even tagged National Payments Corporation of India, questioning the decision and seeking intervention.