Why are there concerns over WhatsApp usernames?, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• On July 1, 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a notice to Meta, urging it to halt the rollout of WhatsApp's new username feature.
• The government expressed concerns that hiding phone numbers and using only usernames could escalate online fraud, phishing, and impersonation attacks.
• WhatsApp's username feature is optional and allows users to chat without sharing their mobile numbers, displaying only a chosen username.
• Similar notices were subsequently sent to Telegram, Signal, and Arattai, which already offer username features.

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Detailed Insights:

• MeitY specifically highlighted the risk of impersonation of individuals, public authorities, financial institutions, and government agencies through similar usernames.
• Public figures have already reported instances where variations of their names were reserved by other users, raising concerns about identity spoofing.
• WhatsApp stated it has "reserved" usernames of prominent personalities, including public figures and government entities, to prevent imposters.
• The platform also plans to display the sender’s country of origin and indicate if they are in the phonebook when a message is received from a user with a hidden number.
• The government's notice cited WhatsApp as a "significant social media intermediary" under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Information Technology Rules, 2021.
• Sections 66C (identity theft), 66D (cheating by personation), and 79 (intermediary liability/safe harbour) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, were also referenced in the notice.
• Digital rights groups like the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) questioned the government's authority to dictate app features, arguing that existing laws do not grant such power.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): The nodal government agency responsible for policy, promotion, and development in the electronics and IT sectors in India.
• Information Technology Act, 2000: The primary law in India dealing with cybercrime and electronic commerce, providing legal recognition for electronic transactions.
• Significant Social Media Intermediary: A social media platform with more than 50 lakh (5 million) registered users in India, subject to specific due diligence obligations under Indian law.
• Intermediary Liability/Safe Harbour: Legal provisions that protect online platforms from liability for content posted by users, provided they adhere to certain due diligence requirements.