Centre Issues Notice to Meta Over WhatsApp Username Feature, Raises Fraud and Impersonation Concerns
Centre Issues Notice to Meta Over WhatsApp Username Feature, Raises Fraud and Impersonation Concerns
The Central government has issued a notice to Meta over WhatsApp’s upcoming username feature, raising concerns that it could be misused for online fraud, phishing and identity impersonation.
The Ministry has asked Meta to submit a detailed explanation within three days, outlining the security measures and safeguards introduced to protect users. It has also sought clarification on why action should not be taken under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
According to government officials, the username feature could allow fraudsters to create accounts resembling public figures, government departments, banks and other trusted organisations. This, they fear, may lead to an increase in phishing attacks, digital scams and identity theft.
The Centre has advised WhatsApp not to roll out the feature in India until discussions with the government are completed. Officials said consultations will be held with the company to better understand the risks and ensure adequate safeguards are in place before the feature is made available to users.
Responding to the notice, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the company has built multiple security protections into the new feature. The platform said usernames linked to government bodies, public figures, celebrities and verified Meta accounts will be reserved for their rightful owners, while usernames that closely resemble protected accounts will be blocked.
WhatsApp also clarified that users will still need a phone number to create and use an account. To contact someone through a username, users must enter the exact username, which the company says will help reduce spam and unwanted messages.
Additionally, WhatsApp said it will use automated systems to detect suspicious activity and provide users with more context about new contacts, including the age of the account, shared groups and mutual contacts, helping users identify potential scams.
The username feature, recently announced by WhatsApp, is designed to improve privacy by allowing users to connect without sharing their phone numbers, similar to other messaging platforms that rely on usernames instead of mobile numbers.
The government’s decision on the feature’s rollout will depend on Meta’s response and the outcome of its consultations with WhatsApp.
