Hyderabad, July 2: The Centre has asked Meta to pause the rollout of WhatsApp’s proposed username feature in India and submit a detailed explanation within three days over concerns related to cyber fraud and user safety.
The proposed feature would allow users to connect on WhatsApp using usernames instead of sharing mobile numbers. Authorities said the feature requires further consultation before any launch in India.
According to reports, the government raised concerns that username based communication could increase risks linked to impersonation, phishing, online fraud and digital scam attempts. Officials also indicated that platforms must ensure adequate safeguards before introducing such features.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology directed Meta to provide supporting details and explain how the feature would prevent misuse. Until consultations conclude, the company has been told not to proceed with the rollout in India.
Meta has stated that the feature is intended to improve privacy by allowing users to communicate without revealing phone numbers and that protective measures have been built into the system.
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