India Halts WhatsApp Username Rollout Over Fraud Concerns
India has ordered WhatsApp to suspend the rollout of its new username feature, citing concerns that it could increase online fraud, phishing attacks and identity impersonation.
The directive was issued by India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on 1 July, requiring Meta to halt deployment of the feature while regulators review its potential impact on user safety and law enforcement.
The username feature, which is currently rolling out globally, allows users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers. Instead, people can reserve unique usernames while still using their existing WhatsApp accounts.
Why India is concerned
Indian authorities argue that replacing visible phone numbers with usernames could make it more difficult to identify individuals involved in cybercrime investigations.
Officials also warned that the feature could be exploited for impersonation and so-called "digital arrest" scams, where fraudsters pose as law enforcement or government officials to deceive victims into making payments or revealing sensitive information.
The government has asked WhatsApp to explain how the feature complies with India's digital regulations before it can be introduced to the country's more than 500 million WhatsApp users.
WhatsApp defends the feature
Meta says the username system includes several safeguards designed to reduce abuse.
According to the company, users will still need a phone number to create an account, while usernames remain optional. People must also know a user's exact username before they can initiate a conversation.
The company has also introduced protections such as limits on contacting new users, restrictions on repeated username searches and reserved usernames for verified organisations and public figures to reduce impersonation attempts.
The decision highlights the growing scrutiny facing new privacy features as governments balance user protection, online safety and law enforcement requirements in an increasingly digital world.