India — The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed WhatsApp to halt the rollout of its proposed usernames feature in India, citing concerns that the functionality could significantly increase the risk of online fraud, phishing, impersonation, and digital scam activities.
According to government officials, WhatsApp has been asked to provide an explanation within three days regarding the security implications and safeguards associated with the feature before any wider deployment in the country.
In its communication, the ministry reportedly stated that the usernames functionality “may materially increase the incidence of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks,” while also raising concerns around identity spoofing involving individuals, public authorities, and institutions.
The move reflects growing regulatory scrutiny around digital communication platforms as India continues to witness a sharp rise in cyber fraud, financial scams, fake identities, and AI-enabled impersonation attacks targeting consumers and organizations.
Industry experts note that username-based systems on messaging platforms can potentially create new vectors for impersonation if robust identity verification and account protection mechanisms are not implemented effectively. Authorities globally are increasingly focusing on digital identity protection, user authentication, and platform accountability as cybercrime becomes more sophisticated.
Responding to the development, WhatsApp clarified that the feature is not yet live and is expected to roll out gradually later this year. The company also stated that it has reserved high-profile usernames to ensure they can only be claimed by legitimate owners and verified entities.
WhatsApp indicated that it is working on safeguards aimed at preventing misuse, impersonation, and fraudulent activity linked to the usernames feature. However, Indian regulators appear to be seeking additional assurances regarding consumer protection, identity verification standards, and platform-level fraud prevention measures before permitting rollout.
The development comes amid increasing government focus on strengthening cybersecurity oversight, digital trust, and online safety frameworks across social media, messaging, fintech, and digital communication platforms operating in India.
Analysts believe the decision could influence how global technology companies introduce new identity and communication features in India, particularly as regulators place greater emphasis on user safety, fraud prevention, and platform accountability in the country’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, is one of the world’s largest messaging platforms with hundreds of millions of users in India. The platform continues to expand its ecosystem across messaging, payments, business communication, and digital engagement services while navigating evolving global regulatory and cybersecurity requirements.
 has directed WhatsApp to halt the rollout of its proposed usernames feature in India, citing concerns that the functionality could significantly increase the risk of online fraud, phishing, impersonation, and digital scam activities.){kind=link}