Page 2 - Whatsapp

WhatsApp usernames rollout under scanner: What the govt is worried about

Meity has asked WhatsApp to halt its new usernames feature over impersonation and fraud concerns, while the Internet Freedom Foundation questions whether the government has the power to do so

WhatsApp issues FAQs on username feature amid government scrutiny

Meta-owned WhatsApp has come out with a detailed set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the controversial username feature, outlining details on how it plans to address concerns around impersonation, scams and unwanted contact as users begin reserving usernames. The FAQs come amid the Centre's notice to Meta flagging concerns over potential fraud and impersonation risks, and warning against a roll out of the feature till consultations on the issue are completed "to the satisfaction of the government". Put simply, the new feature will allow users to create unique usernames that can be used for connecting on WhatsApp without sharing phone numbers. The FAQs say usernames will be optional, cannot be searched by strangers, and that users can add an additional 'username key' requiring both the username and the key before someone can contact them. WhatsApp said well-known names, including those of public figures, celebrities, government entities and Meta-verified accounts, have been

Govt asks WhatsApp not to roll out username feature over fraud risks

The ministry is examining WhatsApp's new usernames feature over concerns related to impersonation, fraud and online scams, while Meta says it has built multiple safeguards against abuse

Businesses not kicked about WhatsApp's username move despite user interest

Businesses say phone numbers will remain central to customer interactions despite WhatsApp's username feature, while cybersecurity experts expect improved privacy and lower spam

WhatsApp's biggest update | Chat without sharing phone number: How will usernames work?

WhatsApp has started rolling out reservations for usernames, a feature that will let users connect with others without sharing their phone numbers.

Govt reviews WhatsApp username feature amid fraud, impersonation fears

The government is reviewing WhatsApp's upcoming username feature over concerns it could enable impersonation, fraud and pose risks to public safety

WhatsApp introduces username: What is it, how it works, and how to reserve

WhatsApp has started username reservations, allowing users to claim a unique handle before the feature rolls out later this year for messaging without sharing phone numbers

WhatsApp begins username reservations, feature to roll out later this year

The messaging platform will let users reserve unique usernames that can be shared instead of phone numbers, with the feature becoming available later this year

CertIn warns against malware campaign spreading through WhatsApp web

WhatsApp web and desktop users are being targeted by a large-scale malware distribution campaign that could give criminals unauthorised access and compromise their devices, national cybersecurity watchdog CertIn said in a note. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team has warned WhatsApp web and desktop users to be cautious of any attachments, even if they come from a friend, colleague or family member. "It has been observed that a large-scale malware distribution campaign is targeting WhatsApp Desktop and WhatsApp Web users. The campaign distributes malicious Visual Basic Script (VBScript) files through direct messages on the platform," CertIn said on June 25. The note prepared based on Kaspersky and Securelist findings said that the threat actors leverage compromised WhatsApp accounts to send malicious attachments directly to victims, making the messages appear legitimate and significantly increasing the likelihood of successful compromise. "WhatsApp is a cross-platform instan

What is the 'Boss scam'? How fake CEOs are stealing money from employees | Cybercrime

A WhatsApp message from your CEO asking for an urgent transfer might seem routine. But India's cybercrime agency warns that it could be part of a growing "Boss Scam" targeting businesses across the co

Meta's $900 mn Cred bet fuels hopes of turning WhatsApp into a super-app

The global tech firm announced this week that it will own 20% of Bengaluru-based Cred, which rewards people who pay their credit-card bills on time

Meta's Cox sought Kunal Shah's advice on WhatsApp, then made him leader

Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox reached out to Shah directly in the spring, seeking advice on picking the future leader of WhatsApp

Will Kunal Shah be able to deliver on Meta's goal to monetise WhatsApp?

Shah has a portfolio of about 298 companies, focusing primarily on sectors such as consumer tech, fintech, SaaS, climate tech, AI and edtech

From chats to commerce: Why India is WhatsApp's most important market

With hundreds of millions of users, millions of businesses and a rapidly growing digital economy, India has become the most important market for WhatsApp

WhatsApp's journey: From status app to world's default messaging service

With Cred founder Kunal Shah set to lead WhatsApp globally, here's a look at the evolution of the app that transformed digital communication and largely replaced SMS across the world

Kunal Shah named WhatsApp CEO: A look at Indian biz leaders at global firms

Kunal Shah's appointment to WhatsApp adds to a growing list of Indian business leaders who built careers in India before rising to top roles at global firms

WhatsApp to invest $900 mn in Kunal Shah's CRED: What does the app do?

The platform operates a members-only financial rewards programme that targets users with high credit scores and offers them rewards and discounts

Meet Kunal Shah, the CRED founder set to become WhatsApp's global head

Shah will succeed Will Cathcart, who has led WhatsApp since 2019. Cathcart will move to a newly created division within Meta focused on building next-generation products

Meta invests $900 mn in Cred, Kunal Shah to head WhatsApp globally

Meta acquires a minority stake in Cred through a $900 million investment and appoints founder Kunal Shah as global head of WhatsApp

Meta taps Kunal Shah to head WhatsApp as part of $900 mn Cred investment

The investment gives Meta a roughly 20 per cent stake in Cred, which operates an app that rewards customers for paying their credit card bills on time