Somalia has joined India in formally objecting to WhatsApp's new username feature, which allows users to connect via handles instead of phone numbers. Somalia's National Communications Authority warns the change could hinder security agencies' ability to trace individuals involved in terrorism and organized crime, citing groups like al-Shabaab. India, WhatsApp's largest market with 600 million users, had already asked Meta to pause the rollout over fraud and impersonation risks. Meta has not responded to Somalia's concerns. The dispute highlights a growing country-by-country pushback against anonymity features in messaging apps, with India also having sent similar notices to Telegram and Signal. Digital rights advocates argue governments are overstepping by using platform-liability law to dictate product design.
