India's MeitY reviews WhatsApp and Telegram username rollout amid privacy concerns

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is examining the legal and security implications of the new username feature that WhatsApp, Telegram and other messaging apps plan to introduce. The government has issued notices to Meta (owner of WhatsApp) and Telegram asking for detailed explanations of how the feature will address risks such as impersonation, phishing and financial fraud. Meta has replied and agreed to hold off on launching the feature in India while discussions continue. MeitY officials warned that if the rollout proceeds without safeguards, it could hinder law‑enforcement tracking of cyber‑criminals. A decision or formal notification is expected within about 20 days, according to sources. Industry analysts note that India's stance could set a precedent for other regulators worldwide, as the feature would affect more than 850 million Indian users – a large share of WhatsApp’s global base. Meta maintains that each account will still be tied to a verified phone number and that reserved usernames for public figures and businesses will limit abuse.