Whatsapp

WhatsApp adds stronger verification tools, more details for unknown callers

WhatsApp is rolling out three account security updates, including password-based two-step verification, more information about unknown callers and support for multiple passkeys

WhatsApp to allow alphanumeric passwords for two-step verification

Messaging app will also show more information about callers not saved in contacts, including their country and whether they share any groups with the user

Meta 'more cautious' on child abuse matters after strong govt message

The government's hard talk with Meta has led to action on child sexual abuse material (CSAM), with the company now showing greater sensitivity and caution on such content, IT ministry sources said on Tuesday, asserting that the Centre has made it unequivocally clear that such content constitutes a violation and cannot be covered by safe-harbour protection. Sources said the government's intent is not censorship or restricting coverage in any way, but ensuring Indian laws and norms are followed and that social media harms are mitigated. Meta explained how its algorithms and systems work, the ministry sources said, noting that discussions are on and such matters involve "judgment calls" and "tweaks". The IT Ministry official further said that Meta has shown increased sensitivity and caution on CSAM, with the government seeing some action by the company following its recent discussions. Sources described the response as "important and significant". The government had unequivocally ...

Govt pressure on CSAM prompts Meta to step up action, sensitivity

The government's hard talk with Meta has led to action and increased sensitivity on the issue of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), IT Ministry sources said on Tuesday, adding that the Centre has been unequivocal that such content is a clear violation and there is no safe harbour when law is violated in this manner. Sources said the government's intent is not about censorship or restricting coverage in any way, but ensuring Indian laws and norms are followed and that social media harms are mitigated. "The message has gone home," they said. During discussions, Meta explained how its algorithms and systems work, ministry sources said, noting that discussions are on and such matters involve "judgment calls, and tweaks". On the WhatsApp username row, sources said the matter is under examination as it doesn't involve just that particular platform, but other messaging apps as well. Sources said concerns over social media harms is not something specific only to India, it is a concern sha

WhatsApp down? Several users report issues, unable to share multimedia

WhatsApp users reported that the outage appeared to affect the sharing of photos, videos, stickers, GIFs and other media files, while text messaging continued to function.

Sebi to leverage WhatsApp for AI-enabled safe investing awareness campaign

Markets regulator Sebi plans an AI-enabled multilingual WhatsApp campaign to spread verified safe investing information as part of its 2026-27 digital transformation agenda

Govt to question Meta on CSAM, WhatsApp username issue, account takedowns

Senior executives are likely to be questioned on child sexual abuse material, synthetic content, impersonation risks and safeguards for prominent and verified accounts

WhatsApp puts multiple accounts under review, blocks all app features

Instant messaging app WhatsApp on Monday put multiple accounts, including those in India, "under review" for 24 hours and blocked all the app features, prompting several affected users to flag the issue through social media. The disruption was noticed around 8 pm IST when users started facing the issue without any prior warning from the Meta group's messaging app. The WhatsApp app on the screen displayed the message: "Account in review. Date requested: 3 Aug 2026. Your account activity and device info is being checked to make sure it follows our terms of service. We will notify you of the result typically within 24 hours." Below these remarks, the app shows an option to learn about account issues, which include "How to use WhatsApp responsibly. See guidance" and an option "About stolen phone and accounts". Some of the users on social media posted different messages. "My WhatsApp account has been disabled without any explanation. I have already submitted an appeal, but the review p

Top Meta executive Joel Kaplan summoned over PM Modi post removal

The government has asked Meta's global affairs chief to appear in person after the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video, citing concerns over content moderation

Govt working on common standards for messaging platforms' username feature

The government is examining responses from WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram to develop a common framework for username-based identities and guard against fraud and impersonation

Govt plans common rules for messaging apps after WhatsApp username row

The move comes after the IT ministry asked WhatsApp to put its proposed username feature on hold, citing concerns over fraud, impersonation and law enforcement challenges

After WhatsApp, Telegram replies to govt notice on 'username' feature

The Centre had raised concerns that allowing users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers could materially increase online fraud, phishing, impersonation and digital arrest scams

WhatsApp submits reply on 'username' notice; govt examining response

Meta-owned WhatsApp has submitted its reply to the government's notice on the "username" feature and the response is being examined, sources said on Thursday. The Centre issued a notice to Meta last Wednesday, questioning the proposed username feature on WhatsApp, flagging concerns that it could materially increase incidents of online fraud, phishing, digital-arrest scams and impersonation attacks. The username feature essentially allows people on the messaging platform to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. The Centre had also directed the platform not to launch the feature until consultations on the issue were completed "to the satisfaction of the government". Subsequently, WhatsApp had sought some more time to submit its response on the "username" feature and assured the government that it would not roll it out in India until discussions were complete. The sources told PTI that WhatsApp's reply has indeed been received by the information technology ministry and the

WhatsApp's reply on 'username' feature due today: IT Secretary S Krishnan

Meta-owned WhatsApp's response to the government notice on the 'username' feature is due on Thursday, IT Secretary S Krishnan said. Last Wednesday, the Centre issued a notice to Meta questioning the proposed username feature on WhatsApp, flagging concerns that it could materially increase online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams, and impersonation attacks. The username feature essentially allows people on the messaging platform to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. The government had also directed the platform not to launch the feature until consultations on the issue are completed "to the satisfaction of the Government". Subsequently, WhatsApp had sought some more time to submit its response on the 'username' feature and had assured the government that it would not roll it out in India until discussions are complete. "Today is the day when the reply is due," Krishnan said on the sidelines of the CII GCC Business Summit, when asked about WhatsApp's response to th

Removed 160K India accounts in 2025 over child exploitative content: Meta

Meta said it removed 160,000 accounts linked to suspected child exploitation and over four million suspicious accounts across Facebook and Instagram

After India, Somalia raises concerns over WhatsApp username feature

Last week, India asked Meta to delay the rollout of the new feature, citing fears that it may fuel online fraud

Names without numbers: India must set the terms for WhatsApp usernames

For 17 years, your Wha­t­s­App identity was your phone number. from this week, your identity can be a handle - issued and controlled by Meta

WhatsApp gets more time to reply to username notice; India rollout on hold

The Meta-owned messaging platform has received an additional three days to respond to a government notice seeking clarification on the feature

Meta team meets IT Ministry over username feature, to reply within 3 days

The Centre directed WhatsApp to keep the rollout on hold until consultations are completed "to the satisfaction of the Government"

How flight tickets, food orders helped Sebi crack a ₹144 crore stock scam

Sebi's 394-page order exposes a 226-entity pump-and-dump network across five stocks, busted not just by bank records but also by airline bookings, hotel stays, WhatsApp chats,