The Indian government has asked Meta to suspend the rollout of WhatsApp’s new username feature, citing concerns that it could expose millions of users to increased online fraud and impersonation scams.
The request comes as Indian authorities intensify efforts to tackle rising cybercrime, with fraudsters increasingly exploiting the country’s rapidly expanding digital population.
Earlier this week, Meta announced that WhatsApp users worldwide would soon be able to communicate using unique usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers, a feature designed to improve user privacy.
However, India, WhatsApp’s largest market with more than 500 million users, has expressed concerns that the new system could be exploited by cybercriminals.
According to reports, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology wrote to Meta, warning that the feature could lead to a rise in phishing attacks, impersonation, online fraud and so-called “digital arrest” scams.
Government officials fear that fraudsters could register usernames resembling those of trusted individuals or organisations, making it more difficult for less technologically savvy users to distinguish genuine accounts from fake ones.
The ministry has reportedly asked Meta not to introduce the feature in India until consultations with the government are concluded.
Responding to the concerns, Meta said the username feature has not yet been launched in India and emphasised that several safeguards have been built into the system.
The company noted that usernames for public figures, celebrities and verified accounts have already been reserved to prevent impersonation.
Meta also stressed that users will still be required to register with a valid phone number to access WhatsApp and said multiple security measures have been incorporated to detect and prevent scams.
The issue comes shortly after Meta appointed Indian fintech entrepreneur Kunal Shah as the new head of WhatsApp.
India’s concerns reflect the country’s growing struggle with cybercrime. Government data indicates that citizens lost nearly three billion dollars to online fraud in 2025, representing a dramatic increase compared with losses recorded just four years earlier.
While messaging platforms such as WeChat already support username-based communication, Indian authorities insist that additional safeguards are necessary before the feature can be introduced to WhatsApp users in the country.