The Centre on Wednesday issued a notice to Meta regarding the controversial username feature on WhatsApp in India due to concerns about impersonation and fraud, and warned the platform not to roll it out until consultations on the issue are completed "to the satisfaction of the Government".
It has also directed Meta to furnish a detailed explanation on the username feature, backed by relevant documents, within three days.
In the notice, the government expressed concern that the WhatsApp username feature may "materially increase" cases of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams, and impersonation attacks by enabling bad actors to solicit and message victims.
It has asked Meta to explain why action shouldn't be initiated under IT Act and rules over WhatsApp's new feature that may increase cybercrimes.
The Centre has also reminded Meta that WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, is bound by due diligence obligations under the IT Act and rules.
