WhatsApp Username Feature Put On Hold In India Amid Fraud Concerns Meta-owned WhatsApp has received more time to respond to the Indian government’s notice over its proposed username feature. The messaging platform has also assured the Centre that the feature will not be rolled out in India until discussions with the government are completed. What Is The WhatsApp Username Feature? The proposed username feature will allow use

Govt To Summon Meta Officials Over Instagram CSAM Ads Allegations The Central government is set to summon Meta officials after allegations surfaced that Instagram carried paid advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material in India. The issue has raised serious questions over the platform’s ad moderation system and online child safety measures. According to the report, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials of the Ministry of E

Arattai To Disable Usernames After WhatsApp Notice Row 3 July 2026: Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has announced that Arattai will disable its username-based account feature, days after the Indian government raised concerns over username features on messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. The move comes amid growing debate over whether usernames on messaging apps could increase the risk of online fraud, impersonation, and cybercrime

Huawei Band 11 series has been launched in India with prices starting from Rs 3,999 under market operating price. The new fitness band lineup includes Huawei Band 11, Huawei Band 11 Metal and Huawei Band 11 Pro, offering AMOLED displays, health tracking features and up to 14 days of battery life. Huawei Band 11 Price In India Huawei has introduced three models in the Band 11 lineup for Indian buyers. The series is

WhatsApp Username Rollout Paused In India Over Cyber Fraud Concerns India has asked Meta to pause the rollout of WhatsApp’s proposed username feature in the country, raising concerns over privacy, impersonation, and possible cyber-fraud risks. The government has reportedly sought a detailed explanation from Meta within three days and asked the company not to proceed with the feature until consultations are completed. What Is WhatsApp

How WhatsApp usernames change user identity sharing WhatsApp’s rollout of usernames introduces a new way for users to connect without directly sharing their mobile number. In India, where phone numbers are closely connected to UPI payments, Aadhaar verification, banking services, and multiple digital identity systems, this shift is especially significant. While phone numbers remain required for account creation and verification, they will no longer be the only way users identify or connect with each other on the platform. Privacy improvements and everyday impact The introduction of usernames helps reduce exposure of personal phone numbers in group chats, business communication, and online marketplaces. This can lower the chances of spam calls, unsolicited messages, and basic data harvesting. It also creates a separation between private identity and public interaction, which is increasingly important in large digital ecosystems like India’s. However, the actual privacy benefit will depend on how WhatsApp manages visibility settings and user discovery options. Cybersecurity concerns and impersonation risks At the same time, experts warn that usernames introduce new cybersecurity challenges. The biggest concern is impersonation, where attackers can create similar-looking usernames to deceive users. Unlike phone numbers, usernames can be copied or slightly modified, making fake accounts harder to detect at a glance. In India, where cyber fraud linked to messaging apps and digital payments is already rising, this increases the importance of careful identity verification. Safety features and implementation factors WhatsApp is expected to introduce additional protections such as a “username key” system, which restricts who can message a user even if they know the username. This could help reduce spam and unwanted contact. However, the overall effectiveness of the feature will depend on default settings, user awareness, and how strictly WhatsApp enforces anti-impersonation measures. The update represents a shift in digital identity handling, offering stronger privacy on one side while introducing new forms of security risk on the other.

Samsung Brings Galaxy Experiences To BTS World Tour ‘ARIRANG’ In London Samsung Electronics UK has announced a city-wide Galaxy experience programme for audiences attending BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ in London this June and July. The campaign will bring together concert activations, fan experiences, personalised keepsakes, and limited-edition rewards across major London locations. As the official partner of BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’, Samsung is

WhatsApp Username Feature: How To Reserve Your Name Without Sharing Phone Number WhatsApp is preparing a major privacy update that will allow users to chat without sharing their phone numbers. The Meta-owned messaging platform has started allowing users to reserve unique usernames before the feature is rolled out more widely later this year. Until now, WhatsApp conversations have largely depended on phone numbers. Anyone who had a user’s mobile number

Kunal Shah To Lead WhatsApp As Meta Bets Big On CRED CRED founder Kunal Shah is set to lead WhatsApp globally as Meta invests $900 million in CRED, triggering both growth expectations and fintech data concerns.   Kunal Shah To Lead WhatsApp As Meta Bets Big On CRED CRED founder Kunal Shah is set to become the global CEO of WhatsApp, marking a major leadership move involving an Indian en

SpaceX Starfall Capsule Launch Comes Amid $600 Billion IPO Selloff SpaceX is facing a defining week as it prepares to test its new Starfall re-entry capsule while investors question the company’s valuation after a sharp post-IPO market selloff. The Starfall mission is scheduled for launch on June 23 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Th

CM Naidu Invites Singapore Investors To Back Andhra Growth Plans Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has invited Singapore investors to partner with the state’s next phase of growth, highlighting opportunities in Amaravati development, startups, technology, manufacturing, and future industries. During his Singapore visit, Naidu reached out to startup founders, ve

Anthropic AI Model Restrictions Raise Global Access Concerns Anthropic has reportedly sent senior engineers to Washington after US restrictions affected access to its advanced Claude Mythos 5 and Claude Fable 5 AI models. The issue began after US officials raised concerns over the safety and possible misuse of the powerful AI systems. Reports said the restrictions were linked to national security concerns and export control rules, forcing Anthropic to li

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Bratislava for an important visit to Slovakia, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the country since its independence in 1993. The trip is part of his wider European tour and is expected to give fresh momentum to India’s relationship with Central Europe. During his stay in Bratislava, Modi is scheduled to meet Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico. The tal

AirTrunk’s $30 Billion India Plan To Boost AI And Cloud Infrastructure AirTrunk’s massive India investment could give a major boost to AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure growth. Australian data centre company AirTrunk has announced a massive $30 billion investment plan for India, giving a major push to the country’s growing AI and cloud infrastructure sector. The company plans to develop around 5GW of new data centre capacity

Malaysia’s New Social Media Rule For Children Explained Malaysia’s new rule bars children under 16 from creating social media accounts, raising debate over child safety, privacy and age checks. Malaysia has introduced new online safety rules that stop children below 16 from registering fresh social media accounts. The rule came into effect on June 1, 2026, making Malaysia one of the latest countries to tighten teen access to platforms such as Faceboo