The Government is closely monitoring WhatsApp’s recently released username function because of worries that it may increase crimes and online fraud.
According to officials, if the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) determines that a feature poses a risk to digital security, it may send a notice to the Meta-owned instant messaging platform.
“The new WhatsApp username feature raises concerns since it could make online fraud easier and has ramifications for digital security. We are looking into it, and if necessary, we might even send the corporation a notice,” a government official stated.
Recently, WhatsApp revealed a username feature that will let users make a special username and start conversations without disclosing their phone number. According to the firm, the change is intended to improve customer privacy by allowing users to join with their username rather than their mobile number. “WhatsApp is excited to announce the start of global reservations of usernames, a major privacy feature designed to protect the privacy of your phone number,” the business stated in a statement. “You may add an additional layer of security to your account by setting up a ‘username key’ so that anyone messaging you for the first time using your username will require the key to reach you.
Government officials, cybersecurity experts, and users have expressed concerns about the feature despite these privacy-focused efforts, arguing that if sufficient controls are not implemented, it might open up new avenues for online scams and impersonation.
Before the feature is released globally later this year, cybersecurity experts stated that the success of the username system would depend on WhatsApp’s capacity to stop impersonation, quickly identify and delete fraudulent accounts, and instruct users on how to recognize genuine identities.
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