Business

The Government of India has reportedly asked Meta to temporarily halt the rollout of WhatsApp’s proposed username feature in the country, citing concerns over cyber fraud, impersonation, and challenges for law enforcement investigations. According to multiple media reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a formal notice to Meta, seeking detailed clarifications before the feature is introduced to Indian users.

The reported intervention comes just days after WhatsApp announced a new privacy-focused feature that would allow users to communicate using usernames instead of sharing their mobile phone numbers with new contacts. While Meta has described the feature as a step toward improving user privacy, Indian authorities are said to be examining whether it could also create new opportunities for online scams and identity misuse.

According to a Reuters report, which said it reviewed the government’s communication, MeitY has directed Meta not to roll out the username feature in India until consultations with the government are completed. Reuters further reported that the ministry has sought a detailed explanation from the company and asked why regulatory action should not be considered if the concerns remain unresolved.