The Government of India has taken a strict stance against Meta regarding WhatsApp's upcoming "Username" feature, issuing a show-cause notice and granting a three-day deadline for a detailed response. The government has ordered Meta to halt the rollout of this feature for Indian citizens until further notice, emphasizing that the company must only proceed after thorough consultations are completed. This decisive action follows intense concerns raised by cyber experts who fear the feature could be heavily exploited by scammers to impersonate high-profile individuals and deceive the public.
The username feature was designed by WhatsApp to enhance phone number privacy by eliminating the need for users to share their mobile numbers. Instead, communication would happen entirely through unique usernames, which WhatsApp is currently allowing users to reserve. These usernames can range from 3 to 35 characters, though names of celebrities and prominent public figures are restricted. WhatsApp maintains that this feature shields user privacy, particularly when individuals are added to large group chats where their phone numbers would otherwise be visible.
However, cyber security experts have raised red flags over the potential abuse of this system. They warn that bad actors could still create misleading usernames to duplicate famous personalities and perpetrate fraud. Experts also argue that because strangers can easily guess usernames to send direct messages, the platform could see a massive surge in spam calls and texts. While keeping phone numbers private is a welcome move, there are deep concerns that without robust security frameworks, WhatsApp could mirror Telegram and become a hotbed for identity theft and financial scams.
Viewing this feature as a potential violation of the existing IT Act and the IT Rules of 2021, the central government intervened swiftly to pause its launch. The government strongly believes that the threat of impersonation targeting government agencies, banks, and the general public is exceptionally high. Meta has been directed to submit a comprehensive explanation along with necessary documentation within three days. The center has made it explicitly clear that the feature will remain barred in India until the government is fully satisfied with the safety measures, warning of legal and regulatory action if Meta's response falls short.
In response to the government's notice, WhatsApp issued an official statement clarifying that the feature has only been announced and is not yet active for users. A Meta spokesperson explained that public figures, government organizations, celebrities, and verified Meta accounts will have their names strictly reserved under the new system. The company reiterated that the feature will be rolled out gradually later this year and is designed to actually enhance user ID security. According to Meta, the system will automatically block anyone attempting to guess usernames repeatedly, and accounts with fake identities will be banned. Furthermore, when an unknown username messages a user for the first time, WhatsApp will display safety cues indicating whether it is a brand-new account, if the sender is in their contacts, or if they share any mutual groups.
