WhatsApp Responds to Government Notice on Username Feature
Hours after the Indian government issued a notice to Meta-owned WhatsApp regarding its proposed 'username feature,' the messaging platform defended the feature, stating it has built 'multiple layers of defence against scams.' The government had asked Meta not to roll out the feature until satisfactory consultation is completed.
A WhatsApp spokesperson said the company has announced the option for users to reserve a preferred username on the platform. 'The ability to use a username is not yet live and will roll out slowly later this year. To protect against impersonation, we've held the highest-profile names — think public figures, government entities, celebrities, verified Meta accounts — so they can only ever be claimed by their legitimate owners and lookalike derivatives of known names are held as well,' the statement said.
Multiple Layers of Protection
The spokesperson elaborated on the security measures: 'Users still require a phone number to use WhatsApp and we've built multiple layers of defence against scams into usernames: Other users need to know the exact username to message you, we will limit how many new people an account can contact, block repeated attempts to guess someone's username key, and have systems to detect and remove activity showing common impersonation and abuse patterns.'
Additionally, when the feature becomes available and 'someone sends you a message for the first time via your username, we will show you if they're a new account, if they're your contact, if you have groups in common, and if they're based in a different country, so you can decide whether to respond,' the spokesperson added.
Government Concerns Over Cybercrimes
Earlier on the same day, the government issued a notice to Meta expressing concern that the username feature 'may materially increase the incidence of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks, by enabling bad actors to solicit and message victims.' The notice further stated that the feature 'may facilitate impersonation and identity spoofing, including impersonation of individuals, public authorities, financial institutions, and government agencies, by permitting the adoption of usernames closely resembling those of genuine persons or institutions.'
The government directed Meta to 'explain why regulatory action ought not to be initiated under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act), the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) and other laws as may be applicable for launching a feature that may increase cybercrimes.' Meta was asked to furnish a detailed explanation, supported by relevant documents, within three days, and was directed not to roll out the feature until consultation with the government is satisfactorily completed.
What Is the Username Feature?
According to Meta, a username is an 'optional unique identifier you can choose for your WhatsApp account.' It starts with the @ symbol (for example, @Name123) and can be used by others to message or call a person while keeping their phone number private. The username is different from the display name (the name that appears in your profile). The display name does not have to be unique, but the username does, according to the messaging platform.
