Govt orders Meta to pause WhatsApp username rollout, seeks reply in 3 days

The government's move came as WhatsApp prepares to introduce one of its biggest privacy changes by allowing users to connect through unique usernames instead of sharing their mobile phone numbers.

In Short

• Government issues notice to Meta over WhatsApp username feature
• It asks company to put launch on hold till consultations are completed
• Feature allows users to connect via unique usernames instead of phone numbers

The government on Wednesday ordered Meta not to roll out WhatsApp's proposed username feature in India until consultations on its privacy and security implications are completed, issuing the company a notice and seeking a detailed explanation within three days.

The government's move marks the first official intervention by authorities into WhatsApp's planned username-based messaging system, which would allow users to connect without sharing their mobile phone numbers. Officials are examining whether the feature has adequate safeguards to prevent misuse by cybercriminals and whether it could make it harder to identify fraudulent accounts.

In a notice to the Chief Compliance Officer of Meta, India Operations, the government has asked the company to explain how the feature will work, what mechanisms will be in place to verify users, and how the company plans to prevent impersonation, online fraud and other forms of abuse. The company has also been told not to launch the feature in India until the ongoing review and consultations are completed.

The move comes as WhatsApp prepares to introduce one of its biggest privacy changes by allowing users to connect through unique usernames instead of sharing their mobile phone numbers. The feature is intended to give users greater privacy and control over their personal information.

It also comes against the backdrop of a sharp rise in cyber fraud in India. Investigators have increasingly flagged WhatsApp as a key platform used by fraudsters to initiate scams ranging from fake investment schemes and digital arrest frauds to impersonation and phishing attacks.

Officials are assessing whether allowing users to communicate through usernames instead of phone numbers could create new challenges in tracing offenders while balancing the platform's privacy commitments.

WHATSAPP LISTS SAFEGUARDS

A WhatsApp spokesperson said the ability to use a username is not yet live and will be rolled out gradually later this year.

"To protect against impersonation, we've held the highest-profile names – think public figures, government entities, celebrities, verified Meta accounts – so they can only ever be claimed by their legitimate owners and lookalike derivatives of known names are held as well," a WhatsApp spokesperson was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Users will still need a phone number to use WhatsApp, Meta said, adding that it has built multiple layers of defence against scams into usernames.

"Other users need to know the exact username to message you. We will limit how many new people an account can contact, block repeated attempts to guess someone's username key, and have systems to detect and remove activity showing common impersonation and abuse patterns," the company said.

WhatsApp will show whether a first-time sender is a new account, contact, mutual group member or from another country before users respond.

"When the feature becomes available, and someone sends a message for the first time via your username, we will show you if they're a new account, if they're your contact, if you have groups in common, and if they're based in a different country, so you can decide whether to respond," WhatsApp stated.

TECH EXPERTS VOICE CONCERNS

The proposed username feature has drawn criticism from cybersecurity experts and startup founders. They have warned that lookalike usernames could be exploited unless robust verification and anti-impersonation safeguards are introduced.

Paytm founder and Chief Executive Vijay Shekhar Sharma said on X that similar-sounding usernames could become a vector for impersonation and scams. Meanwhile, Jasveer Singh, co-founder and Chief Executive of KnotDating, also raised concerns about how WhatsApp plans to balance user privacy with accountability.

A section of technology experts believe that the upcoming feature might make it easier for fraudsters to impersonate trusted brands, institutions and public figures unless effective identity verification mechanisms are put in place.

ABOUT WHATSAPP USERNAME FEATURE

WhatsApp recently announced plans to introduce usernames globally as one of its biggest privacy updates in recent years. The feature will allow users to create a unique username that can be shared instead of their phone number while starting new conversations.

Creating a username will be optional. Users who prefer to continue using their phone numbers can do so, while those opting for usernames will be able to change or remove them at any time. Usernames can contain up to 35 characters and must be unique.

The feature is aimed at improving privacy by allowing people to connect without revealing their mobile numbers, particularly when interacting with businesses, creators or individuals they do not know personally.

Meta has said users will continue to have access to existing safety tools, including blocking and reporting suspicious accounts. The company also plans to allow creators, businesses and organisations to reserve usernames matching their Instagram and Facebook identities, while users will be able to maintain a consistent identity across Meta platforms through the Accounts Centre.

However, government officials are examining whether the proposed safeguards are sufficient for the Indian ecosystem, where online financial fraud has become a growing concern. The review is expected to focus on whether username-based identities could be exploited to impersonate individuals or organisations and whether law enforcement agencies would face additional hurdles in tracking fraudulent accounts.

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