The Union government has reportedly asked Meta to explain its proposed username feature for WhatsApp and directed the company not to roll out the functionality in India until consultations with the government are completed, amid concerns that the new system could be misused for fraud, impersonation and misinformation.
According to media reports citing official sources, the government has issued a notice to Meta seeking a detailed explanation of the proposed feature within three days. The move follows WhatsApp's announcement that users will soon be able to reserve unique usernames, enabling them to connect with others without sharing their mobile phone numbers.
Sources told the media that the government is examining the legal and regulatory framework before permitting the rollout of the feature. They said the proposed functionality raises concerns that need to be addressed before it is introduced in India.
According to the sources, the government, as the statutory authority, must ensure that the feature does not create risks for users or facilitate online fraud. Law enforcement agencies may also examine the implications of the proposed functionality.
The sources added that digital platforms could be held accountable if new features create opportunities for fraud or misuse. Platforms such as WhatsApp, they said, have a responsibility to ensure that their products are not used for impersonation, scams or the spread of misinformation.
The proposed username feature is intended to enhance user privacy by allowing people to communicate without revealing their phone numbers. However, cybersecurity experts have cautioned that usernames could create fresh opportunities for impersonation, fake identities and social engineering attacks if adequate safeguards are not put in place.
Responding to the government's concerns, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the company had announced an option for users to reserve their preferred usernames but clarified that the ability to use usernames is not yet live and will be introduced gradually later this year.
"We have announced the option for people to reserve their preferred username on WhatsApp," the spokesperson said.
"The ability to use a username is not yet live and will roll out slowly later this year. To protect against impersonation, we've held the highest-profile names—including public figures, government entities, celebrities and verified Meta accounts—so they can only ever be claimed by their legitimate owners. Lookalike derivatives of known names are also being held."
WhatsApp said users will continue to require a phone number to register and use the messaging platform. It added that multiple safeguards have been incorporated into the username system to minimise abuse.
According to the company, users must know the exact username before they can initiate contact. It also plans to limit how many new people an account can message, block repeated attempts to guess username combinations and deploy automated systems to detect and remove behaviour associated with impersonation and abuse.
The company further said that when someone receives a message from a username for the first time, WhatsApp will display contextual information, including whether the sender is using a new account, is already in the recipient's contacts, shares common groups or is located in another country. This information is intended to help users decide whether to engage with the sender.
In a series of posts on X, WhatsApp said the new feature is designed to improve user privacy by allowing people to connect without disclosing their phone numbers.
"Your phone number is personal and sometimes you want to connect without handing it over. That's why we're introducing usernames for WhatsApp," the company said.
WhatsApp said users can begin reserving usernames this week by navigating to Settings > Account > Username, provided they have updated to the latest version of the application. However, the company clarified that reserving a username does not activate the feature immediately, which is expected to become available later this year.
The platform also said each username can belong to only one person and that the application will automatically indicate whether a desired username is available.
Meta said creators, small businesses and organisations will also be able to reserve their existing Instagram or Facebook usernames on WhatsApp. The reservation option is being extended to the WhatsApp Business application as well, although availability may take a day or two after updating to the latest version.
The company reiterated that usernames will not replace phone numbers on WhatsApp and that a mobile number will remain mandatory for account registration and use.
The government's review marks one of the first known regulatory examinations of the proposed feature globally and reflects increasing official scrutiny of new digital platform features that could have implications for cybersecurity, online fraud and user safety in India's rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
