India Asks WhatsApp To Halt New Username Feature Over Fraud Risks

The Indian government has issued a notice to Meta, directing it to suspend the rollout of WhatsApp’s proposed username feature until further consultation is conducted. Announced recently, this feature would allow users to communicate without sharing their mobile numbers. Officials expressed serious concerns that the function could exacerbate online fraud, phishing, and impersonation, enabling bad actors to target users more easily.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology highlighted potential risks such as digital arrest scams and identity theft, arguing that usernames could be designed to mimic genuine government agencies or financial institutions. WhatsApp, in response, stated that the feature is not yet live and is built with several security safeguards. These include reserving high-profile handles to prevent impersonation and implementing limits on how many new contacts an account can initiate daily.

This development comes as Meta is simultaneously launching paid subscription tiers in India, such as WhatsApp Plus, to diversify revenue streams. The government’s move reflects an increasing focus on the accountability of global platforms for product design and user safety in India, its largest market. The company must now engage in further discussions with authorities to prove the feature can be implemented securely, ensuring it complies with local regulations regarding intermediary due diligence and identity protection.