After WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal face government scrutiny over ‘usernames’ features

The Indian government has raised alarms regarding WhatsApp's newly introduced username feature, citing worries about potential impersonation and identity theft. On July 1, authorities directed Meta to suspend the reservation of usernames. The following day, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) turned its attention to Telegram and Signal, requesting clarifications on their similar features. According to reports from ANI, both Telegram and Signal have been asked to detail how their username systems work and what protective measures are in place to guard against impersonation and misuse. This scrutiny comes on the heels of Telegram's recent temporary ban in India, which was enacted prior to the re-NEET examination. The government has also issued Meta a three-day deadline to respond regarding the functionality and safety protocols of its username feature. Officials expressed concerns that such features could significantly heighten the risk of online fraud, phishing schemes, and impersonation attacks by enabling malicious actors to reach out to victims more easily. The official statement emphasized that the feature could facilitate identity spoofing, allowing individuals to adopt usernames that closely mimic those of genuine persons, public figures, financial institutions, and government organizations. In response to the scrutiny, WhatsApp has defended its feature, stating that usernames are optional and designed with robust security measures to combat scams. The feature has not yet been activated for users; instead, WhatsApp is currently allowing users to reserve their preferred usernames. Furthermore, Meta has assured that it has reserved usernames specifically for public figures, verified accounts, and government entities, preventing unauthorized individuals from claiming these usernames. The company has also implemented measures to block lookalike usernames. To address public concerns, WhatsApp has released a comprehensive FAQ section that addresses inquiries about the username feature, its implications for impersonation, and potential scams.