The Centre will examine WhatsApp’s proposed username feature amid concerns that it could increase online fraud and impersonation.

According to NDTV, sources revealed that the government would seek clarifications from Meta which is the parent company of WhatsApp in case there are any cybersecurity or law enforcement challenges due to this proposed new feature.

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WhatsApp recently made an announcement about introducing usernames as another means by which people can communicate through the WhatsApp platform without having to give out their phone numbers. This new feature according to WhatsApp is supposed to help enhance the privacy of users who are above three billion.

However, this proposed new development has raised some alarm among cybersecurity experts and entrepreneurs.

Experts warn of reduced accountability

Critics argue that replacing phone number-based identification with usernames could make it easier for fraudsters and cybercriminals to conceal their identities.

KnotDating founder and chief executive officer Jasveer Singh said on X that phone numbers provide an important layer of accountability.

“Phone numbers created accountability. You knew who was contacting you and had a number to report to the authorities. Usernames improve privacy but they reduce accountability — what scammers love,” he wrote.

Others have pointed to the experience of messaging platform Telegram, which has previously come under scrutiny during investigations into cybercrime and fraud cases.

Some users on social media have also argued that username-based systems could make it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace and identify offenders.

Concerns over impersonation scams

Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo also raised concerns about the possibility of impersonation scams.

In a post on X, he warned that fraudsters could create usernames closely resembling those of public figures and use them to deceive users.

“In a country such as India, this could be a disaster if the right anti-abuse systems are not set up by WhatsApp,” he wrote.

Warikoo noted that scammers could create usernames with minor spelling variations to imitate public personalities, potentially using them to solicit money or lure users into fraudulent groups.

Similarly, Vijay Shekhar Sharma hinted at potential misuse through lookalike usernames, suggesting that verification systems may become increasingly important.

How WhatsApp’s username feature will work

According to WhatsApp, users can select their own unique username that is between three and 35 characters long.

The company said users will be required to know the username of an individual in order to contact him/her for the first time. Also, WhatsApp is planning to introduce a feature of ‘username key’ that will enable users to regulate who can contact them.

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Users will be free to change the key whenever they want to, and their phone numbers will not be revealed in the initial interactions via usernames.

The company claims that this feature is meant for providing better privacy protection, but with increasing fears regarding cyber fraud and impersonation, this feature will be subjected to greater scrutiny.

FAQs

Q1. Why is the government worried about usernames on WhatsApp?
The government fears that the use of usernames can lead to more fraud and impersonation and make cybercrime investigations difficult.

Q2. How would WhatsApp usernames work?
People will have the ability to make usernames which would be anywhere between three and 35 characters long and allow people to contact each other without having to share their phone number.