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The Government of India has expressed concerns over Meta Platforms Inc. introducing usernames on its messaging platform, WhatsApp, citing a potential increase in cybercrime.
Despite the backlash, Meta defended its decision.
Meta’s WhatsApp introduced the username feature on Monday, touting it as a “major privacy feature” aimed at helping people connect without disclosing their phone numbers. The feature is not yet live and will be rolled out “slowly later this year.”
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On Thursday, a Meta Platforms spokesperson told CNBC that WhatsApp usernames will include multiple anti-scam protections, including phone number verification, limits on contacting new users, safeguards against username guessing, and systems to detect and remove impersonation and abusive activity.
Notably, this comes days after Meta Platforms invested $900 million in Indian fintech startup CRED, while CRED founder Kunal Shah is set to lead WhatsApp globally, bolstering Meta’s digital payments strategy.
Meta Faces Fresh AI Scrutiny
On Wednesday, the Indian government raised concerns over the new WhatsApp feature, suggesting it could escalate online fraud, phishing, and impersonation attacks.
The government has given WhatsApp a three-day ultimatum to provide a detailed explanation of the feature or face possible action under the country’s IT regulations. It has also asked the company to halt the rollout until its concerns are addressed.
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Notably, earlier this year, the company patented an AI system that could keep user profiles active after death, intensifying debate over digital legacy and platform engagement. The system could generate responses and mimic interactions on behalf of dormant or deceased users.
Although Meta stated it has no current plans to deploy the technology, it will continue exploring AI applications.
Last month, Meta had to pause its internal AI training program, the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), after concerns that sensitive employee data may have been widely accessible. The program, launched to improve AI models, collected information on U.S. employees’ interactions with company systems, including mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes.
Image via Shutterstock
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Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market
Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That’s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn’t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.
Arrived
Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.
FarmTogether
Farmland has historically held its value through market volatility and delivered returns uncorrelated to stocks and bonds. For accredited investors, FarmTogether offers direct access to high-quality U.S. farmland starting at $15,000 — fully managed, with no landlord headaches.
Fundrise
Private real estate and private credit can add income and stability to a stock-heavy portfolio. Fundrise offers access to diversified private real estate and credit strategies through an easy-to-use platform, with professionally managed portfolios designed to generate passive income and long-term growth.
Realberry
Institutional-quality real estate has traditionally been difficult for individual investors to access. Realberry gives accredited investors direct access to private real estate opportunities backed by a team with 35 years of experience, $3.4 billion in assets under management, and $481 million in cumulative distributions paid to investors as of Q4 2025, according to the company. With a portfolio spanning 13 million square feet across seven U.S. states, Realberry focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing real estate with an emphasis on long-term value creation while its principals often invest alongside clients to help align interests.
Immersed
Immersed is building technology for the future of work through spatial computing. Known for its AR/VR productivity platform that enables users to work across multiple virtual screens, the company has grown to more than 1.5 million users worldwide. Immersed is also developing Visor, a lightweight headset designed specifically for professional productivity, positioning the company at the intersection of remote work, extended reality (XR), and next-generation computing.
BluSky AI
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence is creating significant demand for data centers, power, and compute infrastructure. BluSky AI is building modular AI data centers designed to support next-generation AI workloads while aiming to reduce deployment timelines compared to traditional facilities. For investors looking beyond AI software and applications, the company offers exposure to the infrastructure layer that makes artificial intelligence possible.
ARK7
Residential real estate has historically provided investors with income potential and long-term appreciation, but direct ownership can be expensive and time-consuming. ARK7 enables investors to buy fractional shares of rental properties, offering access to potential rental income and real estate exposure without property management responsibilities. By lowering the barrier to entry, the platform gives investors another way to diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds.
Miso Robotics
Robotics and automation are becoming increasingly important tools for businesses facing labor shortages and rising operating costs. Miso Robotics develops AI-powered kitchen technology that is already being deployed in restaurant environments, with products designed to help operators improve efficiency and streamline operations. As artificial intelligence expands beyond software and into real-world applications, the company is positioning itself at the intersection of robotics, automation and the future of food service.
Vinovest
Fine wine and rare whiskey have historically moved independently of the stock market, making them a compelling alternative asset. Vinovest manages authenticated, insured portfolios of investment-grade wine and whiskey starting at $5,000 — sourcing, storage, and insurance all handled for you.
EquityMultiple
For accredited investors looking beyond stocks and bonds, EquityMultiple provides access to vetted commercial real estate deals starting at $5,000, with only ~5% of opportunities passing their due diligence process.
Mode Mobile
Mode Mobile is changing the way people interact with their phones by letting users earn money from the same apps and activities they already use every day. Instead of platforms keeping all the advertising revenue, Mode Mobile shares a portion back with users who engage with content, play games, and scroll on their devices. Named one of Deloitte’s fastest-growing software companies in North America, the company has built a large beta user base and is scaling a model that turns everyday smartphone usage into a potential income stream.
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