Crime & Law · India
India questions WhatsApp username feature over fraud risks
The Indian government has issued notices to WhatsApp and other messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal regarding their new username features. The Centre has raised concerns that these usernames could increase the risk of cyber fraud and impersonation, prompting a request for WhatsApp to pause its rollout. Meta has reportedly met with the IT ministry and is expected to file a response.
How outlets across the spectrum covered it
Left 5 · Centre 14 · Right 5 n = 24
- Left (5): National Herald, Newslaundry, Satya Hindi, Scroll.in, The Telegraph (India)
- Centre (14 votes, 15 outlets): Amar Ujala, Business Standard, Dainik Bhaskar, Deccan Chronicle, Deccan Herald, Hindustan Times · Mint (HT Media — 1 vote), Jansatta, Mathrubhumi English, NDTV, Telangana Today, The Free Press Journal, The Lallantop, The Quint, The Tribune
- Right (5): Aaj Tak, Dainik Jagran, Firstpost, Republic World, Swarajya
- International (1): Bloomberg