The Government of India has expressed concerns over Meta Platforms Inc.
(NASDAQ:META) introducing usernames on its messaging platform, WhatsApp, citing a potential increase in cybercrime.
Despite the backlash, Meta defended its decision.
Meta's WhatsApp introduced the username feature on Monday, touting it as a "major privacy feature" aimed at helping people connect without disclosing their phone numbers.
The feature is not yet live and will be rolled out "slowly later this year." On Thursday, a Meta Platforms spokesperson told CNBC that WhatsApp usernames will include multiple anti-scam protections, including phone number verification, limits on contacting new users, safeguards against username guessing, and systems to detect and remove impersonation and abusive activity.
