Meta Defends WhatsApp Usernames After India Raises Cybercrime Concerns and Seeks an Explanation

The Government of India has expressed concerns over Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META ) introducing usernames on its messaging platform, WhatsApp, citing a potential increase in cybercrime. Despite the backlash, Meta defended its decision. Meta’s WhatsApp introduced the username feature on Monday, touting it as a “major privacy feature” aimed at helping people connect without disclosing their phone numbers. The feature is not yet live and will be rolled out “slowly later this year.” On Thursday, a Meta Platforms spokesperson told CNBC that WhatsApp usernames will include multiple anti-scam protections, including phone number verification, limits on contacting new users, safeguards against username guessing, and systems to detect and remove impersonation and abusive activity. Notably, this comes days after Meta Platforms invested $900 million in Indian fin...