Key facts
- India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has warned WhatsApp about its new username feature.
- The ministry cited concerns that the feature could increase fraud and impersonation.
- WhatsApp has been asked to explain why regulatory action should not be taken.
- WhatsApp has been directed to halt the rollout of the username feature.
- The halt is to continue until consultations are complete.
- The feature is planned to allow users to create usernames.
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued a warning to WhatsApp regarding its new username feature. The ministry expressed concerns that this feature could potentially increase the risk of fraud and impersonation for users. In response to these concerns, the ministry has formally requested that WhatsApp provide an explanation for why regulatory action should not be taken against the company. Furthermore, WhatsApp has been directed to halt the rollout of the username feature until consultations on the matter are completed. This move by the Indian government highlights a growing trend of regulatory bodies scrutinizing new digital features for potential societal impacts, particularly concerning user safety and data privacy.