The Indian government has asked Meta to delay the rollout of WhatsApp’s new username feature, expressing concerns that it could expose users to increased online fraud and identity impersonation.
According to reports, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology requested that the company put the launch on hold until consultations with relevant stakeholders are completed.
Meta recently announced plans to introduce usernames on WhatsApp, allowing users to connect without sharing their phone numbers.
The feature is intended to improve privacy by enabling communication through unique usernames.
However, Indian authorities warned that the system could be exploited by cybercriminals to impersonate legitimate users and carry out phishing scams, particularly targeting people with limited digital literacy.
A senior government official reportedly said the feature could allow bad actors to claim usernames and deceive others by pretending to be someone else.
India, WhatsApp’s largest market with more than 500 million users, has witnessed a surge in cybercrime.
Official data shows that online fraud cost citizens nearly $3 billion in 2025.
Responding to the concerns, Meta said the username feature has not yet been launched in India and assured authorities that several safeguards have been built into the system.
The company said usernames linked to verified accounts and public figures have been reserved to reduce impersonation risks.
Meta also noted that users will still need a valid phone number to register for WhatsApp and said additional security measures have been implemented to detect and prevent scams ahead of the feature’s global rollout.
