Centre asks Meta to pause WhatsApp username rollout; seeks reply in three days

The Indian government has issued a notice to Meta regarding its move to allow usernames on WhatsApp in India, directing the company to furnish a detailed explanation on the feature within three days. The company has been told that it shouldn't be rolled out until consultations on the matter are over, according to government sources.

Earlier on Wednesday, officials said the feature, in its current form, could make it easier for cybercriminals to impersonate public figures, government officials, brands and businesses by registering deceptively similar usernames.

Meta launched the feature globally for WhatsApp's estimated 850 million users two days ago, allowing them to reserve handles. Usernames haven't been operationalised yet.

"We will study the legality of WhatsApp usernames. If needed, a new law can be made to prevent digital impersonations," a senior government official told ET on Wednesday afternoon, adding that the move was aimed at curbing cybercrime.

The official cited similar features in Telegram where any screen name can be chosen by users, including that of government functionaries, potentially enabling cybercrimes and digital impersonation by fraudsters.

"The concern is heightened because WhatsApp is no longer only a messaging layer," said Rohit Jain, managing partner at law firm Singhania & Co. "WhatsApp Pay is integrated into the same trust environment, with NPCI having removed its UPI onboarding cap in December 2024. The usernames may protect phone number privacy, but they can also enable impersonation of banks, public agencies and merchants, converting identity confusion into payment fraud."

Jain said the government has several legal remedies at hand. This includes mandating anti-impersonation safeguards, or faster response to law enforcement agencies or enforcement of IT Rules due diligence.

In extreme cases, the government can use Section 69A of the IT Act to block the service, he said.

ET had reported that WhatsApp's upcoming shift from phone numbers to usernames had triggered concerns over user privacy, impersonation and deeper integration with parent Meta's broader advertising ecosystem across Facebook and Instagram.