WhatsApp Defends 'Usernames' Feature After Govt Issues Notice; Says 'Still Requires Phone Number'

New Delhi: WhatsApp has issued a clarification on the central government's concerns regarding 'Username' feature. The company has said that to prevent identity theft (impersonation), it has reserved the names of the most famous people like celebrities, government organizations, verified meta accounts. 

What did the company say?

The company said that the new function will be introduced with multiple safeguards to reduce the risk of scams and impersonation. WhatsApp said that to prevent identity theft (impersonation), it has reserved the names of the most famous people like celebrities, government organizations, verified meta accounts. This means that no one will be able to make these their username even if they want to. 

Meta has said that only the real owners of famous names will be able to claim them. Names similar to famous names have also been reserved. The company has also said that it has created several layers of security. Repeated attempts to guess the username will be blocked.

What is the matter?

WhatsApp had announced the rollout of the "Username" feature on Monday. It said the feature would be rolled out by the end of this year. Prior to that, people could reserve their preferred usernames. Several reports emerged suggesting that popular names had been reserved by others. 

The Central government also took the matter seriously. On Wednesday, the government sources said they were considering legal options in the matter and that the upcoming WhatsApp feature could be banned, citing the risk of identity theft and fraud.

What was WhatsApp's response?

WhatsApp stated that the username feature hasn't launched yet. It will be rolled out gradually later this year. To prevent identity theft, WhatsApp has reserved verified Meta accounts for the most prominent individuals, such as celebrities, government organizations, and other celebrities, so that only their rightful owners can claim them.

• WhatsApp said that names similar to famous names have also been reserved. 
• Users will still need a phone number to use WhatsApp.
• Many security layers have been created to prevent any scam with the username.
• To send messages, other users must know the correct username.
• WhatsApp has said that it will limit how many new people an account can contact.
• Repeated attempts to guess someone's username will be blocked.
• Systems will be created to detect and prevent identity theft and misuse of the feature.

According to WhatsApp, when this feature becomes available and someone messages you using your username for the first time, we'll show you whether they're a new account, a contact, or from a common group. It'll also show you if they're from another country. This will allow users to decide whether to reply.