'WhatsApp usernames can facilitate cybercrime': MeitY asks Meta to justify feature

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has intensified its scrutiny of WhatsApp's proposed username feature, citing concerns that it could facilitate impersonation and create new avenues for cybercrime.Speaking on Friday, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan said the government has sought an explanation from WhatsApp over the feature, while similar queries have also been sent to messaging platforms Telegram and Signal."We have taken up the issue of using usernames because there is a serious possibility of impersonations and there is the kind of encouragement that facilitates to commit cybercrime, which is a very serious issue. This is another dimension of the way that cybercrimes can be committed, which is the reason why we have directed WhatsApp to explain why they have this feature. Similarly, we have sought explanations from others (Telegram and Signal)," Krishnan said.#WATCH