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The Centre has issued a notice to Meta over WhatsApp's proposed "usernames" feature, warning it could fuel cyber fraud, phishing, impersonation and digital arrest scams. Meta has been asked to explain why action should not be taken under IT laws, submit a reply within three days, and not roll out the feature until consultations are completed to the Government's satisfaction.

New Delhi: The Central Government on July 1 issued a notice to Meta seeking an explanation over the proposed rollout of the "usernames" feature on WhatsApp in India, expressing concerns that the feature could significantly increase cyber fraud, phishing and impersonation-related crimes.

In the notice, the government stated that the proposed feature may "materially increase the incidence of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks" by allowing malicious actors to contact users through usernames instead of relying solely on phone numbers.

The government further warned that the feature could facilitate identity spoofing by enabling bad actors to adopt usernames that closely resemble those of genuine individuals, public authorities, financial institutions and government agencies. Such impersonation, it said, could make it easier to deceive users and carry out financial and cyber fraud.

"Furthermore, this feature may facilitate impersonation and identity spoofing, including impersonation of individuals, public authorities, financial institutions, and government agencies, by permitting the adoption of usernames closely resembling those of genuine persons or institutions," the notice stated.