Is WhatsApp's New Username Feature a Risky Move? Government Investigates Potential Impersonation Threats

Government Scrutinizes WhatsApp's Username Feature

New Delhi: Authorities are examining WhatsApp's upcoming username feature due to worries about its potential for misuse, particularly in impersonation and fraudulent activities, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The government plans to evaluate the risks associated with this feature, which has raised significant concerns following its announcement by the Meta-owned messaging service.

This new functionality could enable users to create usernames that mimic those of legitimate organizations, thereby increasing the risk of impersonation and fraud, which could negatively impact public safety and societal trust.

Officials emphasized that there will be no compromises made regarding national security or public safety.

WhatsApp has revealed that the username feature will allow users to communicate without needing to share their phone numbers.

The company has begun accepting early reservations for usernames, with a full rollout expected later this year.

In a recent blog post, WhatsApp stated, "Starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch this feature."

The intention behind this update is to bolster user privacy, especially in group chats or when meeting new people, by removing the necessity to exchange phone numbers.