India has asked WhatsApp to suspend the rollout of its upcoming username feature, raising concerns that the update could make it easier for cybercriminals to carry out online fraud, phishing attacks and identity impersonation.
The request comes as the messaging platform prepares to introduce the feature globally later this year, allowing users to connect with others through unique usernames instead of sharing their personal phone numbers.
According to reports, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued a notice asking WhatsApp not to proceed with the rollout until the government completes its review of the feature and its potential security implications.
The ministry warned that username-based messaging could significantly increase the risk of online scams by enabling fraudsters to contact unsuspecting users without revealing their phone numbers.
Authorities also expressed concern that cybercriminals could create usernames closely resembling those of government agencies, financial institutions, public officials or well-known individuals, making impersonation and identity spoofing easier.
What the New WhatsApp Username Feature Means
The upcoming feature is designed to give users greater privacy by allowing them to communicate using unique usernames rather than exposing their phone numbers to everyone they interact with.
Users will still need a valid phone number to create a WhatsApp account, but once the feature launches, they will be able to share their usernames instead of their mobile numbers when connecting with new contacts.
WhatsApp has already announced that users can begin reserving their preferred usernames ahead of the official rollout.
Why India Wants the Feature Paused
India argues that the update could weaken existing safeguards against cybercrime by making it more difficult for users to verify the identity of unknown contacts.
The government believes the feature could contribute to:
- Increased phishing scams
- Online fraud
- Identity theft and impersonation
- Fake government and bank accounts
- Digital arrest scams
The ministry has therefore directed WhatsApp to suspend the rollout in India until consultations with regulators are concluded.
WhatsApp Responds
In response, WhatsApp said the feature has not yet been launched and stressed that multiple security measures have already been built into the system.
According to the company, high-profile usernames—including those belonging to public figures, government agencies, celebrities and verified Meta accounts—have been reserved to prevent impersonation.
WhatsApp also said it plans to introduce additional protections, including:
- Limiting how many new users an account can contact.
- Detecting repeated attempts to guess usernames.
- Identifying suspicious behaviour associated with scams.
Displaying helpful information about first-time contacts, such as whether the account is new, shares mutual groups or is based in another country.
The company maintained that users will still require a phone number to register for WhatsApp, adding that the username feature is intended to improve privacy rather than reduce security.
India’s Growing Focus on Cybersecurity
India, which is WhatsApp’s largest market with more than 850 million users, has intensified scrutiny of global technology companies as cybercrime continues to rise.
Government data shows that nearly 102,000 cybercrime cases were recorded in 2024, with online fraud accounting for almost three-quarters of the reported incidents.