India Hits Pause on WhatsApp's Username Chat to Fight Online Scams

India has asked WhatsApp to pause the launch of a new feature that would allow users to chat using unique usernames instead of their phone numbers. The government is concerned that this feature could make it easier for scammers and cybercriminals to commit online fraud and phishing attacks. WhatsApp is extremely popular in India, with over 850 million users, making it the app's largest market in the world. The new feature, which is not yet available, would let people contact each other by exchanging usernames rather than phone numbers.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology sent a notice to WhatsApp, asking the company to explain why it should not face action under Indian law for introducing a feature that could increase cybercrimes. The government believes that allowing people to chat without sharing their phone numbers could help criminals hide their identities and trick others. They are especially worried that scammers could create usernames that look like those of real people, government officials, or banks, making it easier to fool victims. The notice also asked WhatsApp not to launch the feature until the government is satisfied with the company's answers and safety measures.

WhatsApp responded by saying the feature is still being developed and that they have built in several safeguards. For example, high-profile usernames, such as those belonging to celebrities, government agencies, and verified accounts, will be reserved so only the real owners can use them. Users will still need a phone number to create a WhatsApp account, and the company has added several layers of protection to prevent scams. For instance, people will need to know the exact username to send a message, and WhatsApp will limit how many new people an account can contact. The app will also block repeated attempts to guess usernames and use systems to detect and remove suspicious activity.

When someone receives a message from a new contact, WhatsApp will show information about the sender, such as whether they are already in the recipient's contacts, if they share any groups, or if they are based in another country. This is meant to help users decide whether to respond. However, some organizations, like the Internet Freedom Foundation, have criticized the government's notice, arguing that the laws cited do not give the government the power to control what features a company can launch. They say the government is overstepping its authority.

India has recently made several changes to its rules for technology companies. For example, social media platforms are now required to remove illegal content within three hours of being notified, instead of the longer time allowed before. The government says that features like username-based chats and hidden phone numbers make it harder for law enforcement to track down criminals. Last year, India saw over 100,000 cases of cybercrime, with most involving online fraud. As more people use digital services, the government wants to make sure new features do not put users at greater risk. WhatsApp says it is committed to user safety and will work with the government before launching the username feature.