Centre issues notice to Meta over WhatsApp username feature

• The government has reportedly issued a notice to Meta regarding a username feature on WhatsApp in India.

• WhatsApp plans to introduce a username feature later this year, allowing users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. 

• WhatsApp had already begun allowing users to reserve usernames.

• The government has directed Meta to furnish a detailed explanation on the username feature, backed by relevant documents.

• India is WhatsApp’s largest market, with more than 500 million users. 

What is the new username feature of WhatsApp?

• Usernames are an optional feature that lets you create a unique identifier (for example, @Name123) to keep your phone number private. 

• With a username, your phone number will not be visible when you message or call anyone who doesn’t already have it saved in their contacts. 

• With this new feature, you can give people your username, instead of the phone number, to let them contact you on WhatsApp.

• People who don't have your number saved will see your username instead by default.

• A phone number is still required for your WhatsApp account, clarifies Meta.

• Even if you have a username set up, people can still contact you by your phone number if they have it.

• Like a phone number, others can enter your username directly in WhatsApp to start a conversation with you.

• A username key is an optional setting that gives you more control over who can contact you by your username. If you enable a key, people who want to reach you by your username will need to enter your username key before they can send you a message for the first time. This can help protect against unwanted messages. People who already have your phone number or are in a group with you won’t need your key to message you.

Why the govt has issued notice regarding username feature?

• The government expressed concern that the WhatsApp username feature may increase cases of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams, and impersonation attacks by enabling bad actors to solicit and message victims.

• This 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 notice said.

• The notice cited provisions of the Information Technology Act and the IT Rules, 2021, including Section 79 on intermediary due diligence obligations, portions of rules 3 and 4 governing intermediary responsibilities and lawful identification of the first originator of messages, as well as Sections 66C and 66D that deal with identity theft and cheating by impersonation using computer resources.

• It also referred to intermediary liability under Section 79(3)(a) of the IT Act for aiding, abetting or inducing unlawful acts.

• WhatsApp has defended the feature, citing built-in safeguards to prevent scams and impersonations and protect users.

• It has maintained that the feature is designed to enhance privacy, particularly in group chats and interactions with new contacts.