Govt asks WhatsApp to pause username rollout

NEW DELHI: Govt has directed Meta-owned WhatsApp not to roll out its proposed usernames feature in India until further consultations are completed, while asking the company to submit a detailed explanation within three days on how the system will operate and prevent misuse.

In a notice issued to WhatsApp's chief compliance officer, MeITY said it had taken note of the company's announcement that users would soon be able to reserve unique usernames, and eventually, start conversations without sharing their mobile-phone numbers.

New feature could increase phishing, digital arrests: Govt

Once activated, the feature would allow first-time contact through usernames alone, and users would also have the option of protecting their account with a "username key".

While acknowledging the privacy benefits, the notice by the ministry of electronics and information technology said the change could "materially increase" incidents of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation by making it easier for malicious actors to contact unsuspecting users.

The notice also flagged the possibility of identity spoofing through usernames resembling those of individuals, public authorities, financial institutions and govt agencies, raising concerns that fraudsters could exploit the feature to deceive users.

Citing Information Technology Act, 2000, and IT Rules, 2021, the notice asked Meta to explain "why regulatory action ought not to be initiated" for launching a feature that, in govt's view, "may increase cybercrimes". It also reminded WhatsApp that as a "significant social media intermediary", it is bound by due diligence requirements under the IT Rules, including provisions related to impersonation, identity theft and tracing the first originator of messages where lawfully required.

WhatsApp has been directed to furnish a detailed explanation, supported by relevant documents, within three days of receiving the communication. The company has also been instructed not to launch the feature in India until consultations with govt are concluded "to the satisfaction of govt".

Responding to the development, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the usernames feature has not yet gone live and will be rolled out gradually later this year. The company said, "Users will still require a phone number to use WhatsApp and that usernames are designed to add another layer of privacy rather than replace existing account verification." It added that public figures, govt entities, celebrities and verified Meta accounts will have their usernames reserved to prevent impersonation, while lookalike variants will also be blocked.

WhatsApp said it has "built multiple safeguards into the feature, including limits on how many new users an account can contact, protections against repeated attempts to guess usernames, and systems to detect impersonation and abusive behaviour".

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