WhatsApp has responded to concerns raised by the Indian government over its upcoming username feature, saying it is designed to improve user privacy and will not affect the platform’s ability to cooperate with law enforcement.
The new feature will allow users to connect with others using a unique username instead of sharing their mobile phone number. WhatsApp says this will help protect users privacy, especially when chatting with people they do not know personally.
However, the Indian government has expressed concerns that the feature could make it harder to identify people involved in cybercrime, online fraud, or other illegal activities.
In response, WhatsApp clarified that phone numbers will still be required to create and use an account. The username is only an additional way for users to connect and does not replace the registered mobile number.
The company also said that its existing security systems and cooperation with lawful requests from authorities will remain the same. It added that the feature does not change WhatsApp’s end to end encryption, which keeps personal messages and calls private.
The username feature is currently being tested and has not yet been released to all users. WhatsApp is expected to roll it out in a future update after completing the testing process.
