Centre weighs Meta reply on WA usernames, rollout remains on hold

NEW DELHI: Meta has submitted its response to the Centre's concerns over WhatsApp's proposed "username" feature, with the ministry of electronics and information technology examining whether the safeguards outlined by the company are adequate to prevent impersonation, phishing and online fraud.Sources said WhatsApp's reply was received late Thursday night following consultations between Meta representatives and MeitY officials. The ministry had earlier directed the company not to introduce the feature in India until the consultation process was completed. A source said the ministry is assessing the feature's legal, privacy and cybersecurity implications.The proposed feature will allow users to create a unique identifier beginning with "@" and interact with others without disclosing their phone numbers.

Officials have flagged the possibility of fraudsters creating names resembling those of govt departments, public figures, businesses and individuals to deceive users. Concerns have also been raised about its potential use in phishing, digital-arrest scams and other impersonation-based offences.Meta plans to reserve usernames associated with govt bodies, public figures and verified accounts for their legitimate owners. Similar-looking variations of prominent names will also be blocked. WhatsApp has proposed additional safeguards, including limits on the number of new users an account can contact. It has said usernames will be optional and users will require a mobile number to operate a WhatsApp account.