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NEW DELHI: The Indian government has directed Meta-owned WhatsApp to pause the rollout of its much-anticipated username feature until further consultations are completed.
The move comes amid concerns that the new capability, which allows users to interact without sharing phone numbers, could be misused for impersonation, phishing, and other forms of online fraud.
Government Notice and Key Concerns
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a formal notice to WhatsApp, seeking a detailed explanation of the feature’s implications within three days.
The government has asked the company not to proceed with the rollout in India until its concerns are adequately addressed.
Officials have highlighted risks related to increased incidents of cyber fraud, including “digital arrest” scams, phishing, and impersonation of public figures or authorities.
The ability to hide phone numbers while using usernames is seen as potentially complicating traceability for law enforcement agencies during investigations.
WhatsApp’s Response and Safeguards
In response to the scrutiny, WhatsApp has issued a detailed set of frequently asked questions clarifying how the feature will function.
The company has emphasised that usernames will be entirely optional and that users can continue using the platform with their existing phone number-based accounts.
WhatsApp has also outlined several privacy and security measures. Usernames will not be publicly searchable.
An optional “username key” feature will allow users to be contacted only by those who know both the username and a unique security key.
Additionally, when receiving messages from unknown contacts, the app will display contextual safety information such as the sender’s country, account age, and shared groups.
The platform has stated that well-known usernames and their variations will be reserved for legitimate public figures, government organisations, and verified accounts to prevent impersonation.
Background and Global Rollout Plans
WhatsApp had begun allowing users to reserve usernames ahead of the feature’s planned global launch later in 2026. The company noted that this early reservation process was intended to gather user feedback and accommodate preferences.
However, the Indian government’s intervention has effectively placed the feature on hold in the country, which is WhatsApp’s largest market with over 500 million users.
The development reflects broader regulatory attention on digital platforms in India, particularly regarding user safety, traceability, and prevention of online crimes. Similar concerns have been raised in the past with other messaging features and platforms.
For users in India, the pause means the username feature will not become available until the government is satisfied with the safeguards.
WhatsApp has assured that existing safety tools, including blocking and reporting options, will continue to function as before.
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