As AI-based loan apps boom in India, some borrowers miss out

Hundreds of mobile lending apps have mushroomed in India as smartphone use surged and the government encouraged digitisation in banking, with financial technology (fintech) firms rushing to fill the gap in access to loans. — Reuters

As the founder of a consumer rights non-profit in India, Karnav Shah is used to seeing sharp practices and disgruntled customers. But even he has been surprised by the sheer volume of complaints against digital lenders in recent years.

While most of the grievances are about unauthorised lending platforms misusing borrowers’ data or harassing them for missed payments, others relate to high interest rates or loan requests that were rejected without explanation, Shah said.