Meta team meets IT Ministry officials over WhatsApp username feature amid privacy and fraud concerns

New Delhi: Representatives of Meta met officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Friday after the government issued a notice over WhatsApp’s proposed “usernames” feature in India, sources said.

According to officials, the Ministry conveyed its concerns regarding the new feature during the meeting. Meta has been asked to submit a detailed explanation within three days and is expected to respond within the given timeline.

Earlier this week, the Union government issued a formal notice directing Meta to clarify details of the proposed feature within three days. Authorities have also instructed the company not to roll out the feature in India until ongoing consultations are completed.

Concerns over privacy and misuse

The move follows concerns raised over user privacy and safety, especially the potential for impersonation and misuse of the feature.

Cybersecurity experts and internet users have warned that the system could be exploited by creating usernames similar to those of individuals, organisations or government officials, increasing the risk of fraud and identity-related crimes.

How the feature works

Meta describes the “username” as an optional, unique identifier for WhatsApp users, beginning with the “@” symbol. This would allow others to contact users without needing their phone number.

The company clarified that usernames are different from display names, which appear on profiles and do not need to be unique. In contrast, each username would be exclusive to a single account.

Meta also stated that users who do not have a contact saved would see the username in chats, calls, and group conversations. Certain usernames would be reserved for businesses, government entities, and public figures to prevent misuse.

Government review ongoing

According to government sources, authorities are currently examining the legal implications of the feature and evaluating existing mechanisms to address potential risks.

The final decision on the rollout of WhatsApp usernames in India will depend on the outcome of ongoing consultations and Meta’s official response to the notice.

ANI