This comes amid a wider standoff between the Centre and messaging platforms over features that let users connect without sharing phone numbers. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) gave Meta three days to respond to a July 1 letter and halt the rollout of WhatsApp's new usernames feature pending government approval. The ministry warned the feature could "materially increase the incidence of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks."

WhatsApp's new username feature, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers, has raised significant concerns about potential impersonation scams, particularly in…

WhatsApp's new usernames may enhance privacy but raise serious concerns about impersonation and cyber fraud risks.

New Delhi, Jul 1 (PTI) The government is looking into WhatsApp’s planned username feature amid concerns it could be misused for impersonation and fraud, people familiar with the…

The government is reviewing WhatsApp's upcoming username feature over concerns it could enable impersonation and fraud. The scrutiny comes as the Meta-owned platform prepares to…

WhatsApp has announced the introduction of usernames, a feature that will allow users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. | India News

India is weighing legal guardrails for WhatsApp usernames amid fresh fraud fears. This and more in todays ETtech Top 5.

India may issue notice to Meta over WhatsApp usernames, amid fears the feature could fuel fraud, impersonation and clash with strict Indian cyber security rules.

The government has directed Meta not to roll out the usernames feature in India until consultations on the matter are completed. | India News

New Delhi, Jul 1 (PTI) The government on Wednesday slapped a notice on Meta over the controversial username feature on WhatsApp in India and warned it not to roll it out until…

The Indian government has directed Meta to pause WhatsApp's username feature rollout and respond within three days, citing the need for consultations before implementation.

The Indian government has issued a notice to WhatsApp regarding its new username feature due to impersonation concerns.

Indian government issues urgent notice to Meta regarding WhatsApp's username feature, citing potential impersonation and fraud risks.

The Central Government has issued a notice to Meta over the proposed rollout of the WhatsApp usernames feature in India. Meta has been directed to submit a detailed explanation…

July 1 : India on Wednesday directed Meta's WhatsApp to explain within three days why regulatory action should not be initiated over its planned "usernames" feature and asked the…

WhatsApp's introduction of usernames, a feature long present in rivals like Telegram and Signal, has sparked debate, particularly in India. While aiming to enhance privacy by…

WhatsApps big bet on usernames has hit a regulatory speed bump in India. This and more in todays ETtech Morning Dispatch.

The government has served a formal notice freezing WhatsApp's username rollout in India — and written the release clause so that New Delhi holds the only key. A copy of the notice…

The messaging platform said that it had built safeguards against impersonation and that users would still need a phone number to reserve a unique username.

WhatsApp’s username feature promises a way to message someone without handing over a phone number — a genuine privacy upgrade. | India News

The Centre has asked Meta to pause WhatsApp's username rollout in India over concerns it could enable impersonation, phishing and fraud, and has sought a detailed explanation…