New Delhi: The Centre has issued a notice to Meta over WhatsApp’s upcoming “usernames” feature, asking the company to explain how the feature will work
in India, sources said. Meta has been asked not to enable the feature for Indian users till consultation on the matter is completed, according to reports citing sources privy to the development.
The move comes after WhatsApp began username reservations globally. The feature lets users connect without sharing their phone numbers, a privacy change that WhatsApp says will launch later this year.
Why the government is concerned
The main concern is misuse. A username can protect a person’s phone number, but officials are expected to examine whether it could make online fraud and impersonation harder to track.
Think of it this way. Today, many scams on messaging apps still leave behind phone numbers. If a fraudster starts using a handle instead, investigators may need clearer rules on how such accounts are traced.
Sources said the government has directed Meta to furnish a detailed explanation within three days.
What WhatsApp usernames will do
WhatsApp says usernames will let people chat without giving out their phone numbers. It may help in group conversations, business chats, college groups or situations where people do not want to share a personal mobile number.
The company has said users can reserve a username now and use it later when the feature launches. The feature is optional, and users will be able to change or delete usernames.
Why this matters for India
India is one of WhatsApp’s biggest markets, and scams on messaging platforms remain a major policy concern. The government has been pushing for tighter checks against digital fraud, impersonation and telecom-linked crime.
