India Orders WhatsApp to Halt Username Feature Rollout

India has ordered WhatsApp to explain its planned WhatsApp username feature and pause rollout plans amid rising concerns over online fraud risks.

The directive, reported in a government letter reviewed by Reuters, gives the company three days to respond and halts the WhatsApp username feature rollout in India until consultations conclude.

Authorities say the move reflects India’s broader push to tighten digital regulation, following recent action against Telegram and ongoing disputes with X over content moderation and compliance.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has announced a phased global rollout of the WhatsApp username feature, allowing users to reserve unique usernames and communicate without sharing phone numbers.

India, with over 500 million users, remains WhatsApp’s largest market, making the WhatsApp username feature a significant focus for regulators concerned about cyber fraud and impersonation.

Authorities warn the feature could enable phishing scams, impersonation, and wider cybersecurity threats by allowing contact without revealing phone numbers, increasing exposure to fraudsters.

The government also referenced Information Technology laws, warning platforms could lose legal protection if they fail to meet due diligence requirements.

Responding to concerns, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the WhatsApp username feature has not yet gone live and will be introduced gradually later this year.

WhatsApp also highlighted safeguards, including mandatory phone number registration, limits on new contacts, and protections against repeated username guessing, while noting recent appointment of CRED founder Kunal Shah as global head and criticism from digital rights groups such as the Internet Freedom Foundation over regulatory overreach.

How might this regulatory standoff shape the future of messaging apps and digital privacy rules in India?