Opposition from the Ministry of ICT to WhatsApp’s New Feature

The Mauritian government has decided to oppose the new username feature introduced by WhatsApp. During a Cabinet meeting held on July 31, 2026, it was agreed that the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation would notify Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, of this position.

This feature, announced by WhatsApp in June 2026, aims to allow users worldwide to communicate using a username instead of a phone number. However, Mauritian authorities are raising concerns about the implications for user privacy and security.

The government fears that the use of usernames could facilitate abuses such as online harassment or identity theft. Additionally, there are concerns about how this information could be managed and protected by the platform.

The decision to oppose this feature is part of the broader efforts of the Mauritian government to ensure the protection of its citizens’ personal data. The Ministry of ICT has already taken steps to raise awareness among the population about the importance of online security and the need to protect personal information in an ever-evolving digital world.

This opposition also comes in a context where many countries are closely examining the privacy policies of large tech companies and their impact on user security. The Mauritian government wants to ensure that any new feature introduced on communication platforms meets the security and privacy standards it deems essential.

While Meta has not yet responded to this notification, it will be interesting to see how the company addresses the concerns raised by Mauritian authorities, and whether this will influence the deployment of the feature in other regions.

La rédaction ZotNews

L’équipe éditoriale de ZotNews. Une rédaction indépendante qui vérifie et cite ses sources pour informer l’île Maurice.