Meta-owned WhatsApp has formally responded to the Indian government’s notice regarding its proposed “username” feature, prompting a careful review by authorities. This development comes in light of concerns raised by the Centre, which highlighted potential risks associated with the feature, including an uptick in online fraud, phishing attempts, and impersonation-related cybercrimes.
The “username” feature is designed to enable users to communicate on the platform without the need to share their phone numbers. In response to the government’s apprehensions, WhatsApp requested additional time to address the issues raised and assured that the feature would not be launched in India until all discussions were satisfactorily concluded.
According to sources, WhatsApp’s submission has been received by the Ministry of Information Technology, and the government is currently evaluating the response. While there has been no official comment from WhatsApp regarding the submission, IT Secretary S. Krishnan confirmed earlier in the day that the reply was expected on Thursday. He also noted that other messaging platforms, such as Telegram and Signal, have yet to respond to similar notices concerning their own username features.
Last Friday, a team from Meta engaged with officials from the IT ministry following the issuance of the notice. The government had urged Meta to clarify why action should not be taken under the IT Act regarding the new feature, emphasizing that WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, is obligated to adhere to due diligence as mandated by the IT Act.
A WhatsApp spokesperson previously indicated that the username feature is not yet operational and is slated for a gradual rollout later this year. To mitigate impersonation risks, the company has implemented measures to ensure that high-profile names, including public figures and verified accounts, can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. Additionally, users will still need a phone number to access WhatsApp, and the company has established multiple layers of protection against scams related to usernames.
WhatsApp has outlined that users must know the exact username to initiate contact, and it plans to limit the number of new contacts an account can reach out to. The platform will also block repeated attempts to guess usernames and has systems in place to detect and eliminate impersonation and abuse patterns. When a new user sends a message via a username for the first time, WhatsApp will provide information about whether the sender is a new account, a contact, or someone from a mutual group, thereby allowing users to make informed decisions about their responses.
In addition to WhatsApp, the IT ministry has also issued notices to Telegram and Signal, seeking clarification on their existing username features and their strategies to address concerns related to fraud and impersonation. While WhatsApp boasts a user base of 500 million in India, Telegram’s reach remains considerably smaller.
In recent days, both Meta and Telegram have faced increased regulatory scrutiny on various fronts. The government has issued a stern notice to Meta regarding child sexual abuse material in Instagram ads, while Telegram has been directed to take action against the widespread sharing of pirated content on its platform.
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