India Asks Meta to Explain WhatsApp Username Feature Over Security Concerns

Istanbul (ANTARA) - The Indian government on Wednesday (1/7) sent a notice to the US technology company Meta, requesting that the company refrain from launching the new WhatsApp username feature in India.

According to a report by the Press Trust of India, citing sources, authorities have asked Meta to provide a detailed explanation of the feature within three days and have directed the company not to launch it until consultations regarding the matter are completed.

The report stated that officials warned the feature could increase the risks of online fraud, phishing, digital kidnapping scams, and identity theft attacks on the messaging platform.

The government has also requested Meta to explain why action should not be taken against WhatsApp under India’s Information Technology Act and related regulations regarding features deemed capable of facilitating cybercrime.

The new feature will allow WhatsApp users to connect using usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers.

Scheduled to be introduced gradually over the coming months, the feature will allow users to reserve unique usernames via the WhatsApp mobile application.

Once activated, users will be able to exchange usernames instead of phone numbers when initiating conversations.

Meta has stated that they are also introducing measures to prevent identity theft.

The messaging platform has over 3 billion users worldwide.