New Delhi, July 1: The central government has voiced deep concerns regarding the upcoming username functionality planned by instant messaging service WhatsApp, citing potential threats to regional digital security. Highly placed administrative sources indicated on Wednesday that authorities are tracking the proposed change with great vigilance and may issue a formal administrative notice to Meta, the platform’s parent company, to clarify its safety frameworks.
Government monitors emphasized that large-scale technology entities are legally required to prevent their products from becoming channels for financial scams, impersonation, or coordinated misinformation. Officials stated that any system creating opportunities for unlawful activity could face strict regulatory interventions, drawing a direct parallel to the enforcement actions initiated against Telegram during the recent national examination paper leak dispute. An official familiar with the review process declared that platforms must ensure their operational layout is not used to create public mischief, adding that if it is, the administrative response will be calibrated but firm.
The technological change, slated for a global rollout later this year, intends to allow users to message each other via unique custom handles instead of disclosing verified mobile digits. Privacy advocates have defended the architecture, arguing that keeping phone numbers private will shield citizens from targeted digital profiling and SIM-swapping hacks. However, regulatory experts declared that the system presents severe identification loopholes, as malicious actors could easily register handles mimicking prominent public agencies, corporate entities, or private individuals to execute financial fraud.
