Govt Blocks WhatsApp's Username Feature, Cites Scam Risk
New Delhi: Reacting quickly to a new "username" feature WhatsApp proposes to introduce for users, the Union government has sent a notice to Meta, the owner of the messaging service, directing it to not roll out the service in India.
The notice, sent on Tuesday (July 1) by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has sought an "explanation" from Meta about the new feature, along with documentation, "within three days".
"You are also directed not to roll out this feature until the consultation on this point is achieved to the satisfaction of the government," it says.
While introducing the feature, WhatsApp said that the username will keep phone numbers "private".
The government's notice says the feature could "materially increase fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams" in India, enable "bad actors to solicit and message victims" and warns that users might impersonate individuals or government authorities if they get usernames.
Meta announced the roll-out of the username feature globally on June 29 and said it will incude India as part of a phased introduction. Some WhatsApp users in India received alerts that they could "reserve" a preferred username in advance of the roll-out.
"Usernames are coming soon. We'll let you know when yours is ready to use," WhatsApp said on the app. A FAQ explains that a reserved name can be booked now to use later. A username is "unique", it says, can be changed or deleted, but not duplicated by another user. Reserving or using one is "completely optional".
As per the government's notice, "once the feature is enabled", the WhatsApp user's phone number will "no longer be visible" to a first-time contact, while an additional "username key" could serve as an additional [security] control.
On the other hand, WhatsApp's FAQ says, "Once your username becomes active, you can share your username when you want to give someone a way to contact you on WhatsApp without having to share your phone number." It adds that the username will keep phone numbers "private".
It also explains that those who "don't have your phone number saved will see your username instead".
The Indian government's notice demands to know why Meta should not face action for offering this service.
"Accordingly you are directed to explain why regulatory action ought not to be initiated under the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 and other laws ... for launching a service that may increase cybercrimes."
As per Indian laws, WhatsApp is an "intermediary" and a "significant social intermediary", says the ministry's notice.
The Hindustan Times reports that a Meta spokesperson has responded to the development by saying there are protections against impersonation in the username feature, and that the "highest-profile" – public figures, government entities, celebrities and verified Meta – account names have been reserved for their "legitimate owners" and that "lookalike derivatives of known names are held as well".
Signal already provides the username feature in India since 2024, while Telegram introduced the same feature years before Signal or WhatsApp did. WhatsApp has over 3 billion users worldwide, with 500 million in India, its biggest market. Signal does not reveal country-specific figures, while Telegram – which the Indian government recently banned for a week – has over 150 million Indian users.
This article went live on July first, two thousand twenty six, at forty-two minutes past nine at night.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
