India stalls WhatsApp username rollout as government cites cyber‑fraud risks

The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has ordered Meta‑owned WhatsApp to halt the rollout of its new username feature in India. The feature would let users start chats using a handle instead of sharing phone numbers, but officials fear it could boost online fraud, phishing and impersonation. In response, the government extended the deadline for Meta to submit a detailed reply to July 9, giving the company three additional days to explain the safeguards it plans to employ. Meta has assured that the username option will remain optional, that phone numbers will still be required for account registration, and that it will introduce protections against impersonation and suspicious activity. A meeting between Meta representatives and the IT ministry has already taken place, and the rollout remains on hold pending the outcome of the consultations.

India is WhatsApp’s largest market, with roughly 800 million users. The government’s move follows a broader push to curb the rise in cybercrime, which saw a 18 % increase in reported cases in 2024, the majority involving online scams. Digital‑rights groups have also criticised the step as an overreach, arguing that the demand to block the feature lacks a clear legal basis. The outcome of the dialogue will determine whether the username feature can be introduced in one of the world’s biggest digital economies.