The government has 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, sources said on Wednesday. Meta has yet to publicly respond to the government's notice.
The government's move marks the first official intervention by the government 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.
According to sources, the government has asked Meta 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 came as WhatsApp prepares to introduce one of its biggest privacy changes in recent years 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 came 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 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.
