India's ministry of information and technology has formally asked WhatsApp to justify, within three days, why regulatory action should not be pursued over the messaging service's plan to introduce "usernames" - a feature that would let people start conversations without sharing their phone numbers. The ministry also requested that WhatsApp hold off on launching the feature in India while consultations on the matter proceed.
In its communication, the ministry said it had taken note of WhatsApp's announcement to add usernames that allow users to initiate chats without disclosing phone numbers. The ministry signaled that the change could alter how users are identified and contacted on the platform in ways that raise enforcement and security concerns.
A Meta spokesperson described the planned capability in simple terms: "We’ve announced the option for people to reserve their preferred username on WhatsApp," the spokesperson said, adding that the feature is not yet live and that the company has reserved usernames for public figures, government entities and verified Meta accounts to help prevent impersonation.
The IT ministry spelled out the specific risks it sees associated with username-based interactions. Officials warned that the feature could materially increase online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks by enabling malicious actors to contact potential victims without revealing a phone number. The ministry also expressed concern that usernames similar to those of real individuals, banks, or government agencies could be used to spoof identities and carry out impersonation schemes.
The government's move follows recent scrutiny of other messaging platforms over anonymity features that let users interact without revealing phone numbers. A separate home ministry report issued in June said such privacy features can hinder identity detection and raised concerns about possible use in cyber fraud and the sharing of illegal content. Authorities have also pursued enforcement actions against messaging services where features that mask user identity were seen as creating operational or legal challenges.
Officials in India have therefore asked WhatsApp to pause the launch locally until consultations are finished and to provide a legal and technical rationale within the three-day window explaining why regulatory measures should not be initiated. The ministry's request underscores the tension between expanded privacy options for users and the government's focus on preventing online crime and protecting institutions from impersonation.
Summary of the situation
- India's IT ministry has asked WhatsApp to explain within three days why regulatory action should not be taken over its planned usernames feature.
- The ministry asked WhatsApp not to roll out the feature in India until consultations are complete.
- Officials cited potential increases in fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation, and warned about identity spoofing involving individuals, banks and government agencies.