The Indian government has asked Meta to postpone the rollout of WhatsApp's new username feature, expressing concerns that it could increase online fraud and impersonation scams.
The feature, announced by Meta earlier this week, would allow users to connect on WhatsApp using unique usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers, a move aimed at improving privacy.
However, Indian authorities fear the system could make it easier for cybercriminals to impersonate legitimate users and deceive people, particularly those with limited digital literacy.
According to reports, India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has written to Meta requesting that the feature not be launched until consultations are completed. Officials warned that scammers could create misleading usernames to carry out phishing attacks, impersonation, and other forms of cyber fraud.
Meta said the feature has not yet been launched in India and noted that usernames for public figures and verified accounts have been reserved to prevent impersonation. The company also stressed that users will still need a phone number to register for WhatsApp and that multiple security measures have been built into the feature.
India is WhatsApp's largest market, with more than 500 million users. Government data shows that cyber fraud losses in the country reached nearly $3 billion in 2025, highlighting growing concerns over online scams as internet use continues to expand.
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