Government to look into WhatsApp's username feature over impersonation concerns, may send notice
New Delhi, July 1
The government is examining the legal implications of Meta-owned WhatsApp's proposed username feature and may issue a legal notice to the company if it finds the feature poses risks of impersonation, government sources told.
According to government sources, authorities will look into the legal mechanisms available to potentially block the feature if required.
"The government will look into WhatsApp's username feature over impersonation concerns. It will look into legal mechanisms to possibly block feature also the legality of WhatsApp's username feature. If feature is found risk-prone, the government could send legal notice to Meta," a source said.
The move comes amid concerns that the feature could make impersonation easier if adequate safeguards are not in place, the sources said.
Meta-owned WhatsApp recently proposed a username reservation feature that is currently under development and being tested. The feature is not yet available to users globally.
Once rolled out, the feature is expected to allow users to reserve unique usernames for their accounts, enabling people to connect by searching for and sharing usernames instead of phone numbers. WhatsApp has said the feature is aimed at providing users with an additional layer of privacy and convenience.
However, government sources said the feature will be examined from a legal and user safety perspective before it can be rolled out widely.
The username reservation system is learnt to be in the testing phase, and WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for its global rollout.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, I'm tired of government unnecessarily interfering in tech features. WhatsApp already has end-to-end encryption, and a username feature is actually a step forward for privacy because we won't have to share our phone numbers with strangers. The government should focus on making people aware of scams rather than blocking features. Just my two paise.
Arre yaar, government needs to understand that username is a good thing. Right now, anyone with your number can add you to random groups or spam you. With usernames, at least we have control over who connects with us. But yes, Meta should ensure that each username is tied to a verified phone number for accountability. Win-win solution hai!
I work in cyber security, and this concern is valid. Usernames are convenient, but they can also be easily copied or used for catfishing. However, blocking the feature entirely is a bit extreme. Why doesn't the government collaborate with WhatsApp to implement mandatory two-factor authentication for username setup? That would balance privacy with safety 👩💻
As someone from the US, I find this interesting. India's government is being proactive about digital safety, which is commendable. But let's be honest - if every country starts threatening to block features, we'll never have global tech solutions. Maybe Meta should just let users choose between phone number and username sharing?
The real question is: will this actually prevent spam? Right now, I get dozens of messages from unknown numbers daily on WhatsApp. If usernames become public and searchable, imagine the spam explosion! The government should insist on usernames being private by default, only shareable if
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.