WhatsApp Username Feature To Pause in India: What Is the Issue?

WhatsApp username has paused the rollout of new feature that lets users keep unique usernames in response to questions raised by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The government has given three days to reply. The government has raised privacy concerns regarding the feature.  

Why Has the Government Sent a Notice to WhatsApp?

The government has sent notice because the username feature which allows users to keep unique usernames, can be a privacy threat. MeitY has asked many explanations before introducing it in India. 

Will WhatsApp Feature be launched?

After WhatsApp received the notice they requested more time. The platform was originally required to reply by July 3. The government has accepted the request and given them 3 days extra. The government will decide on the feature only after receiving the answers. 

What Is WhatsApp’s Username Feature?

The username feature is designed to let users to connect with others without sharing their mobile phone numbers. Instead of giving out a phone number, users will be able to share a unique username. It is similar to features already available on platforms such as Telegram and Signal.

Why Is the Username Feature Significant?

WhatsApp claims that if the feature is introduced, it could keep users privacy by reducing the need to share personal phone numbers while chatting with new contacts, groups or businesses. WhatsApp is most widely used Messaging platform. Any feature involving user identity has to be verified before being introduced.