WhatsApp Username Feature May Not Come to India – Here’s Why

The government of India has asked WhatsApp to postpone the launch of its upcoming username feature, raising concerns that it could make online fraud and impersonation scams more common.

The feature would allow users to connect using unique usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers. While the change is designed to improve privacy, Indian authorities believe it could also create new opportunities for cybercriminals.

WhatsApp Username Feature May Not Come to India – Here’s Why

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued a notice asking WhatsApp not to introduce the feature until the government’s concerns are fully addressed. The ministry has also asked the company to explain why action should not be taken under Indian law for introducing a feature that could increase cybercrime.

According to the government, usernames may make it easier for scammers to hide their identities and impersonate individuals, government agencies, banks, and other trusted organizations. Officials warned that similar-looking usernames could be used to mislead users. It will increase the risk of phishing attacks, online fraud, and identity theft.

Cybercrime has become a major challenge in India, where digital payments and online services are widely used. Government data shows that nearly 102,000 cybercrime cases were registered in 2024, an increase of 18% compared to the previous year. Around three-quarters of these cases were related to online fraud.

WhatsApp said the username feature has not yet been launched and will be introduced gradually later this year. The company stressed that several security measures have already been built into the system to reduce the risk of abuse.

According to WhatsApp, well-known usernames linked to public figures, government departments, celebrities, and verified Meta accounts will be reserved so that only the rightful owners can claim them. The platform also plans to block usernames that closely resemble these official identities.

The company added that users will still need a phone number to create a WhatsApp account. To improve safety, users will only be able to message someone if they know the exact username. WhatsApp also plans to limit how many new people an account can contact, prevent repeated attempts to guess usernames, and use automated systems to detect suspicious activity and fake accounts.

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In addition, users receiving messages from someone for the first time will see useful details, such as whether the sender is already in their contacts, shares common groups, is using a newly created account, or is messaging from another country. These details are intended to help users identify suspicious contacts before responding.

The government’s notice is part of a broader effort to strengthen oversight of major technology companies operating in India. Earlier this year, authorities shortened the deadline for social media platforms to remove illegal content after receiving official notices. Last month, the government also temporarily restricted access to Telegram during the retest of a national medical entrance examination.

However, not everyone agrees with the government’s position. The Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights organization, argued that the notice has no clear legal basis. The group said existing laws do not give the government the authority to require companies to seek approval before introducing new software features.

With India being WhatsApp’s largest market, with more than 850 million users, the government’s decision could have a significant impact on when and how the new username feature is eventually launched in the country.