New Delhi: The Centre has asked Meta not to introduce WhatsApp’s proposed username feature in India until ongoing consultations are completed, amid concerns over potential misuse, impersonation and cyber fraud, according to media reports.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has reportedly issued a notice to Meta, seeking a detailed response within three days on various aspects of the feature before any rollout in the country.
The proposed update would allow WhatsApp users to connect using unique usernames instead of sharing their mobile phone numbers, representing one of the platform’s biggest identity changes since its launch. While the feature is designed to enhance user privacy, government officials are examining whether it could inadvertently facilitate fake identities or deceptive accounts if not supported by robust safeguards.
According to media reports, MeitY is assessing how Meta intends to prevent users from creating usernames that resemble government departments, financial institutions, businesses, celebrities or other public figures, potentially enabling impersonation and online fraud.
The government is also understood to have sought clarity on issues such as the allocation of usernames, restrictions on lookalike handles, mechanisms for reporting and removing fraudulent accounts, and whether backend identifiers will remain available to support lawful investigations even if phone numbers are concealed from users.
Responding to the reported concerns, WhatsApp said the username feature is still under development and has not yet been made available to users.
“We’ve announced the option for people to reserve their preferred username on WhatsApp. The ability to use a username is not yet live and will roll out slowly later this year,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said.
The company said it has already incorporated multiple safeguards aimed at reducing impersonation risks before the feature becomes operational.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
WhatsApp further clarified that phone numbers will continue to remain mandatory for account creation and that several security measures have been built into the proposed username system.
“Users still require a phone number to use WhatsApp and we’ve built multiple layers of defense 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 spokesperson added.
The company also said users will receive additional context when contacted through a username for the first time.
“When the feature becomes available and someone sends you 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,” the spokesperson noted.
According to media reports, the government’s intervention comes as digital communication platforms face heightened scrutiny over online scams and identity-based fraud. Earlier this year, WhatsApp reportedly removed around 9,400 accounts linked to so-called “digital arrest” scams and impersonation of law enforcement officials following targeted enforcement efforts.
The government has not permanently blocked the feature. Instead, media reports indicate that the India rollout has been placed on hold until Meta submits its response and consultations with the authorities are concluded. If approved after the review process, the username feature could eventually offer users greater privacy by reducing the need to disclose phone numbers while interacting with individuals, businesses and communities on the platform.
