WhatsApp is beginning to open up the user name reservation this week to prepare for official access later this year. The new feature allows users to be searched and contacted through a user name instead of a cell phone number. Meta claims that this helps to protect privacy, but security researchers and Indian regulators are concerned that it may also make counterfeiting and fraud more likely.
The Indian market is in the forefront of controversy.
In early tests, TechCrunch found that a number of user names close to the names of public figures, businesses and institutions could still be reserved, including those associated with the Prime Minister of India, Bollywood actors, Jio and the Central Bank of India. This means that it may be more difficult for users to discern the authenticity of accounts if the Platform's interdiction rules are not rigorous.
Meta stated in this regard that the company would reserve user names for public figures, government agencies and some of the related names, and only allow true rights holders to apply for them. However, the company did not specify which approximations would be locked in advance and the specific criteria were not made public.
India's regulatory requirements are suspended.
Concerns have been conveyed to the Government of India. According to a circular consulted by TechCrunch, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India believes that this function may significantly increase the probability of cyber-fraud, fishing attacks, impersonating government agencies and so-called “digital arrests” scams, as outlaws can contact users at their own initiative without exposing mobile phone numbers.
The Department requires whatsApp to explain why regulators should not act under Indian information technology laws and requires companies not formally introduce this function until they have completed their communication. Another Indian official stated that the Government had contacted whatsApp in this regard.
The platform's privacy and identity are being increased.
Proponents believe that a user name mechanism can reduce the exposure of mobile phones, especially for users who do not wish to open their contact with strangers. Critics, however, pointed out that mobile phone numbers themselves carry a certain identification role, and that a change to a user name would require the Platform to devote more resources to the counterfeit account.
In the frequently asked questions issued on the X platform, whatsApp states that most users should choose a unique user name only for whatsApp. At the same time, the Platform allows users to apply for existing accounts under the same name after binding Facebook or Instagram accounts to help creators, businesses and institutions maintain cross-platform identity consistency.
Mozilla Foundation stated that such a design would lead to new trade-offs: it could reduce the leakage of mobile phones, but could also increase the risk of fraud associated with false accounts. It was also mentioned that Meta can more easily associate user identities between home-based applications, but that users still have difficulty in bringing this identity and contact relationship to a competitive platform.
ItsApp currently indicates that it will continue to move forward in a gradual manner and adjust product design to external feedback.