The Centre is assessing potential risks associated with WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, saying it will not compromise on national security while evaluating the privacy-focused update. According to government sources, authorities are examining whether the username feature could be exploited for impersonation, fraud, and other cybercrimes before its wider rollout in India.
WhatsApp recently introduced optional usernames that allow users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. This function has been introduced to enhance user privacy, especially in group chats and chatting with unknown individuals. It allows users to create a personal username in the app’s account settings, while creators and brands can create usernames matching their Instagram or Facebook usernames.
However, the authorities consider anonymity a potential threat for the emergence of fake profiles and internet fraud. According to sources, the government is careful about the ramifications of this particular feature to avoid hampering India’s digital security regime and efforts against cyber fraud.
On the other side, WhatsApp still continues to use users’ mobile numbers to tie their accounts to them. Meta maintains that usernames are just another way to reach out to each other without revealing phone numbers.