WhatsApp’s Username Feature: Govt Mulls Uniform Social Media Rules

by · Inc42

SUMMARY

  • The upcoming common standards will look to oversee social media features and build a “legal backing” to stop the rollout of such offerings
  • If approved, the rules will cast a dark shadow over WhatsApp’s bid to rollout the username feature, which allows users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers
  • The Centre is up in arms against the username feature, fearing that the offering would increase the risk of phishing, impersonation, financial fraud and digital arrest scams