India has ordered WhatsApp to suspend the rollout of its new username feature, citing concerns that the update could make it easier for fraudsters to impersonate users and carry out cybercrime.
The directive temporarily blocks the feature in WhatsApp’s largest market, dealing a setback to Meta’s plans to expand privacy-focused messaging.
According to Indian authorities, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a notice on July 1, directing WhatsApp to halt deployment of the feature and explain how it plans to address the government’s concerns.
The ministry reportedly gave the company three days to respond and instructed it not to continue the rollout until consultations with regulators are completed.
The decision comes even as WhatsApp has already begun introducing usernames to users in other parts of the world.
The new feature allows users to communicate using unique usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers, offering an additional layer of privacy.
However, Indian officials argue that hiding phone numbers could make it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify suspects involved in cybercrime investigations.
Authorities also warned that the feature could fuel impersonation, phishing attacks and so-called “digital arrest” scams, in which fraudsters pose as government officials to extort money from victims.
According to regulators, the change could weaken user traceability, which is a key requirement under India’s information technology regulations.
WhatsApp has insisted that the username system was designed with multiple security safeguards.
The company noted that users will still need a phone number to create an account, while anyone wishing to contact another user must already know that person’s exact username.
Meta also said it has introduced several anti-abuse measures, including:
- Limits on how many new users can be contacted.
- Protections against repeated username guessing.
- Reserved usernames for public figures and verified accounts to reduce impersonation.
Despite those safeguards, Indian regulators believe additional discussions are necessary before the feature can be introduced nationwide.
India remains WhatsApp’s largest market, with more than 500 million users, making the platform one of the country’s primary communication and digital payment services.
Because of that enormous user base, regulators argue that any major product changes must undergo careful scrutiny before being deployed.
Officials also pointed to recent action taken against Telegram, which was temporarily restricted in India in June 2026 following investigations into fraud, examination paper leaks and the alleged misuse of anonymous channels.
Authorities believe the WhatsApp username feature could create similar challenges if introduced without additional safeguards.
The government’s decision has drawn criticism from digital rights advocates.
The Internet Freedom Foundation argued there is no clear legal basis for preventing a company from launching a product feature before it is made available to users.
The organization described the move as an attempt by regulators to determine “what a company may build and ship,” raising broader questions about the balance between user privacy, innovation and government oversight.
For now, WhatsApp’s username feature will remain on hold in India as discussions between Meta and the government continue.
