New Delhi: Meta-owned WhatsApp has submitted its response to the Central Government’s notice regarding its proposed username feature, and the reply is now being examined by the authorities.
Last week, the Centre issued a notice to Meta raising concerns over WhatsApp’s planned username feature, warning that it could lead to an increase in online fraud, phishing scams, digital arrest frauds and identity impersonation.
The proposed feature would allow users to communicate on WhatsApp without sharing their mobile phone numbers, using unique usernames instead.
The government had directed the platform not to roll out the feature in India until discussions with the authorities were completed and all concerns were satisfactorily addressed.
Following the notice, WhatsApp sought additional time to submit its response and assured the government that it would not launch the username feature in India until consultations with the Centre were concluded.
Government officials are now reviewing WhatsApp’s response before taking a decision on the proposed rollout of the feature in the country.
