The Indian government has issued strict orders to its parent company Meta not to introduce WhatsApp’s proposed new username feature in the country. It has asked to suspend this new system until it fully reviews privacy and security aspects. The government has sent an official notice to META to file a detailed explanation on the matter within the next three days. However, Meta Institute is yet to issue any public response or comment on the government’s notification.
The government’s move is seen as the first major intervention in WhatsApp’s planned username-based messaging system. This new feature allows customers to communicate only under one username without sharing their mobile number with others. Government officials are currently checking whether the system has adequate safeguards to prevent abuse by cybercriminals. The government wants to know from Meta how these usernames will work, How to authenticate users’ identities and how to prevent online fraud or impersonation crimes that may occur through it.
In fact, WhatsApp was preparing globally to make this major change to better protect customer privacy. This username will be completely optional for system customers, This means that people who want to continue using their phone number can do so as before. Those who will select the username, They can create an exceptional name of up to 35 characters and change or remove it at any time. The system is designed to protect one’s personal phone number, especially when contacting strangers or businesses.
The government has taken this step in the context of increasing cases of cyber fraud in the country. Various investigative agencies have already said the scams are fake investment schemes, They use WhatsApp as a major medium to trick people by threatening them with digital arrest or identity theft. Now, if they are only allowed to communicate with usernames without phone numbers, will investigative agencies face more complications in tracking down criminals?, The government is worried about this. Meta, however, said that older security tools like blocking or reporting will remain, and usernames can be protected like Facebook or Instagram., However, the government is still reviewing how safe it will be in the Indian environment.