TechReviewAfrica - News Details
Algeria's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has requested that Meta ensure all WhatsApp accounts in the country remain linked to a verified mobile phone number. This move aims to maintain digital accountability and prevent fraud despite the introduction of WhatsApp's new username feature.
Why it matters
This reflects a growing global trend of governments asserting control over digital identity and communication platforms to enhance national security.
Algeria’s Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has formally asked Meta Platforms to ensure that every WhatsApp account used in the country remains linked to a valid and authenticated mobile phone number, following the introduction of the platform’s usernames feature.
The Ministry said it has no objection to WhatsApp’s usernames feature, which allows users to communicate without directly revealing their phone numbers, describing it as a potentially useful additional feature from both security and user-experience perspectives.
However, it stressed that the feature should not allow WhatsApp accounts in Algeria to be created or maintained solely through usernames without an associated verified mobile number.
In an official correspondence to Meta, the Ministry requested written confirmation that all active WhatsApp accounts in Algeria will remain connected to valid mobile numbers authenticated by national operators.
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