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The Latest Breaking News from WhatsApp

WhatsApp gets more time to reply to username notice, assures no India rollout till talks end

WhatsApp has received an extension to respond to the government's concerns regarding its new username feature. Assuring authorities it won't launch the feature in India until discussions conclude, the platform was granted three extra days to submit its reply. The government had previously flagged potential increases in online fraud and…

The Economic Times

WhatsApp stops major update over scam fears – what we know

IN FULL

The Independent UK

WhatsApp asked to pause its biggest ever update

India says new username feature could increase ‘online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks’

The Independent UK

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Accused of ‘Marxist ideology’: Inside UP Police’s Noida protest conspiracy case

Over two months after Noida’s industrial belt witnessed violent protests, the Uttar Pradesh police have now filed chargesheets in four FIRs – 163, 164, 165, and 169.

Newslaundry

India issues stern notice to Meta over Instagram ads carrying child sexual abuse material

The Indian government has issued a stern notice to Meta, demanding an explanation after reports surfaced of child sexual abuse material appearing in paid advertisements on Instagram. This intensified scrutiny targets the social media giant's content moderation and ad approval systems. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to investigate…

The Economic Times

The launch of Commodore's social media-free privacy-first 'dumbphone' was apparently responsible for 'Our biggest week'

Digital minimalism, but you still get WhatsApp.

PC Gamer

ICYMI: The week's 7 biggest tech news stories from PlayStation killing physical games to Anthropic finally re-releasing Fable 5

As the USA turns 250, here's the week's biggest tech news stories from PlayStation, Valve, Garmin, WhatsApp and more.

TechRadar

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No phone calls with wife for 13 days; she dies by suicide; Gulf engineer husband lands in jail; Supreme Court overturns his conviction for this reason

Husband worked in Oman and could not talk with late wife; Wife committed suicide by saying refusal to speak to her over the phone caused her severe mental distress; Indian Trial Court convicts him for cruelty under Section 498A and 304B for dowry death and sentences 3 years jail with…

The Economic Times

ETtech Explainer: Why Telegram and Signal are under the government's scanner over usernames

India's scrutiny of username-based messaging has widened from WhatsApp to Telegram and Signal over concerns around fraud, impersonation and user anonymity.

The Economic Times

Meta team meets MeitY officials over WhatsApp usernames feature, to submit reply within timeline: Sources

Meta officials met with India's IT Ministry following a government notice regarding WhatsApp's proposed "usernames" feature. Concerns over impersonation and misuse have prompted the government to seek a detailed explanation and halt the rollout until consultations conclude. Meta will submit its response within the stipulated three-day deadline, with authorities examining…

The Economic Times

Ashwini Vaishnaw directs MeitY to summon Meta regarding Instagram ads promoting child sexual abuse material

India's IT Ministry has summoned Meta over allegations that Instagram ads promoted child sexual abuse material. Officials are also concerned about WhatsApp's usernames feature being used for phishing and scams, prompting a demand for a pause on the feature's rollout. Meanwhile, the government is also investigating a cyberattack at Tata…

The Economic Times

Govt investigating reported Tata Electronics data leak: MeitY Secretary

Speaking on the sidelines of a CII Conference, Krishnan responded to an ANI question on government's concerns over WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram username feature, "The kind of encouragement that it provides or the facility it provides for committing more cybercrimes, which is a very serious issue... we have directed WhatsApp…

The Economic Times

Harry and Meghan's WhatsApp Strategy Backfires as 'Misled' Journalists Forced to Retract UK Visit Stories

A private WhatsApp briefing reportedly led several royal correspondents to publish details that were later revised after the Sussexes' UK plans changed.

International Business Times UK

India issues notice to Telegram, Signal on concerns over usernames, source says

India has issued notices to messaging apps Telegram and Signal, demanding explanations for safeguards on features allowing anonymous messaging. This move follows a similar directive to WhatsApp regarding its planned username feature. The government cites concerns over increased online fraud and impersonation. Digital rights groups have criticized the notices, particularly…

The Economic Times

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The Economic Times

Username row: After WhatsApp, IT Ministry sends notice to Telegram, Signal

Sources said that in the notice to Telegram, the government has asked the platform why it should be allowed to retain the username feature. On Wednesday, the Centre issued a notice to Meta over the username feature on WhatsApp, citing concerns that it could materially increase online fraud, phishing, digital…

The Guardian - AU

I’d been craving the immediacy of a phone call. So I scrolled through my contacts and started dialling

While I cherish voice notes and tolerate WhatsApp, I missed the spontaneity and unfiltered rawness of a proper phone call

International Business Times UK

India Doesn't Want Whatsapp To Become More Like Telegram: Meta Told To Pause Rollout for 850M Users

The Indian government has paused WhatsApp's new username feature rollout, citing privacy concerns, following Telegram's ban due to exam paper leaks. The move raises questions about digital privacy and control.

The Times of India

Indian student denied entry to the US because of a WhatsApp group? A viral post asks international students to be alert

A viral post urged international students to execise caution before they join any WhatsApp grpup, citing a case of an Indian student being denied entry to the US over WhatsApp activity. The post did not detail what exactly happened but claimed that a student who was returning to the US…

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MyLifeXP

Why India Is Worried About WhatsApp's New Username Feature

For years, your phone number has been your identity on WhatsApp. It helped friends find you, businesses contact you, and users verify who they were talking to. But that could soon change. WhatsApp is preparing to introduce usernames, allowing people to connect without sharing their mobile numbers. While the feature…

TechRadar

WhatsApp should freeze username rollout as it could ‘increase cybercrimes’, says India — but Meta claims impersonation isn’t an issue

The great WhatsApp username rush is on, but there may be problems with scammers and impersonations.

The Economic Times

WhatsApp says claims of people reserving popular, well-known usernames false

The rebuttal came as part of a set of FAQs released by the Meta-owned messaging platform around its contentious username feature - which is under fire over impersonation and fraud concerns.

The National (Scotland)

How to secure Whatsapp username as new update coming for over 3 billion users

WhatsApp's new feature will mean you can message others without using phone numbers but through username

The Economic Times

WhatsApp usernames safe from scams, impersonation? Meta issues FAQs amid government scrutiny

WhatsApp is rolling out a new username feature, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers. The company has released an FAQ addressing concerns about impersonation and scams, following a government notice. Usernames are optional, and a "username key" adds an extra layer of security. Well-known names are being reserved…

Newslaundry

WhatsApp is introducing usernames: What they are and how they work

WhatsApp is introducing usernames, allowing users to chat without sharing their phone numbers. The optional feature marks one of the biggest changes in the messaging app's history, which has relied entirely on phone numbers since its launch.

The Economic Times

WhatsApp usernames’ India hiccup; Zepto’s unusual legal structure

WhatsApp’s big bet on usernames has hit a regulatory speed bump in India. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

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