Govt asks Meta to pause WhatsApp Usernames rollout in India; company says feature is not yet live

The Indian government has directed Meta to suspend the rollout of WhatsApp's proposed usernames feature in the country, warning that the new functionality could increase the risk of cyber fraud, phishing attacks, impersonation and so-called digital arrest scams.Shortly after the notice became public, WhatsApp clarified that the feature has not yet been launched and will be introduced gradually later this year."We've announced the option for people to reserve their preferred username on WhatsApp. The ability to use a username is not yet live and will roll out slowly later this year," a WhatsApp spokesperson said.The government's notice, addressed to WhatsApp's Chief Compliance Officer for India, seeks a detailed explanation of the feature within three days and directs the company not to launch it in India until consultations with the authorities have been completed.The move follows WhatsApp's announcement that it had begun preparations for a phased global rollout of usernames, a feature designed to let users communicate without sharing their mobile phone numbers.Read: Kunal Shah announces WhatsApp usernames as platform moves beyond phone numbersAlso read: Government to examine WhatsApp username rollout amid concerns over impersonation and fraudGovernment raises concerns over fraud and impersonationAccording to the notice, the feature would allow users to reserve unique usernames and eventually initiate conversations using those usernames instead of phone numbers.The government said it understands that once the feature is activated, a recipient's mobile number would no longer be visible to someone contacting them for the first time. Users would also be able to set an optional "username key" as an additional layer of security.However, officials warned that reducing reliance on verified phone numbers could make it easier for cybercriminals to impersonate individuals, businesses, financial institutions and government agencies.The notice says the feature could materially increase the incidence of phishing attacks, online fraud, identity spoofing and digital arrest scams by enabling bad actors to contact users through deceptive usernames resembling legitimate identities.Meta asked to justify the featureThe government has asked Meta to explain why regulatory action should not be initiated for introducing a feature that could potentially facilitate cybercrime.The notice cites provisions under the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and other applicable laws.Officials noted that WhatsApp is classified as both an intermediary and a significant social media intermediary under Indian law, making it subject to enhanced due diligence obligations.The notice also refers to provisions relating to impersonation, misleading information and content that deceives users about the origin of communications, as well as obligations concerning the identification of the first originator of messages where legally required.Additionally, it cites Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act, which deal with identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources or communication devices.WhatsApp says rollout is still months awayWhile the government's notice refers to the proposed rollout of usernames, WhatsApp has clarified that users cannot yet communicate using usernames.The company said it has only announced the ability for users to reserve their preferred usernames ahead of the broader rollout and that the messaging functionality linked to usernames will become available gradually later this year.The clarification suggests that the feature remains under development even as the government has moved to scrutinise its potential impact on user safety and cybersecurity.Fresh regulatory scrutiny in WhatsApp's largest marketThe notice marks the latest regulatory challenge for Meta in India, WhatsApp's largest market with more than 500 million users.As the platform expands beyond messaging into payments, commerce and business services, regulators have increasingly focused on user privacy, intermediary obligations and consumer protection.The usernames feature has been positioned globally as a privacy-enhancing tool that allows users to interact without revealing their mobile numbers. Indian authorities, however, appear concerned that the feature could also make identity verification more difficult and create new opportunities for fraudsters.For now, the rollout in India remains on hold pending discussions with the government, while Meta prepares its response to the notice and reiterates that the feature has not yet been activated anywhere for public use.Read more: 'This should scare anyone': WhatsApp usernames spark privacy, scam fears