Centre Issues Notice To Meta Over WhatsApp Usernames Roll-Out, Seeks Reply In 3 Days

Centre asks Meta to halt WhatsApp's usernames feature in India, seeking a detailed explanation within three days.

Government officials have raised concerns that users may create usernames closely resembling those of government departments.

Source : X

The Centre has directed Meta not to roll out WhatsApp's proposed usernames feature in India until consultations on the matter are completed, amid concerns over impersonation and online fraud. The Government has also issued a notice to the company, asking it to submit a detailed explanation of the feature within three days. Officials are examining whether the new system, which allows users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers, could be misused to impersonate individuals, businesses and government agencies if adequate safeguards are not in place.

Centre Seeks Clarification

According to government sources, Meta has been instructed not to introduce the usernames feature in India until the consultation process is complete. The Centre has also asked the company to explain the feature, its security measures and its proposed rollout plan within three days.

The notice comes as WhatsApp prepares to launch usernames later this year, allowing users to connect without revealing their mobile numbers. While the feature is intended to strengthen user privacy, officials are assessing whether existing legal provisions are sufficient to regulate or restrict its rollout if it is found to pose risks to public safety or national security.

Sources said law enforcement agencies are also likely to examine the feature before any decision is taken on its implementation in India.

Concerns Over Impersonation

Government officials have raised concerns that users may create usernames closely resembling those of government departments, businesses or well-known public figures, increasing the risk of impersonation, fraud and financial scams.

Cybersecurity experts have echoed similar concerns, warning that lookalike usernames could be exploited unless robust verification and anti-impersonation mechanisms are introduced.

Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma said on X that similar-sounding usernames could become a tool for impersonation and online scams. Jasveer Singh, co-founder and CEO of KnotDating, also questioned how WhatsApp would strike a balance between user privacy and accountability.

Officials said the Government must be satisfied that the feature does not create security or consumer protection risks before it is permitted in India. They added that if Meta's response is found to be inadequate, authorities could consider measures to prevent the feature's rollout.

WhatsApp has maintained that the usernames feature is designed to improve user privacy, particularly during interactions with new contacts and in group conversations. The company, however, had not responded to media queries at the time of publication.