India has asked Meta to suspend the planned rollout of WhatsApp’s new username feature in the country, citing concerns that it could fuel online fraud and identity impersonation.
The request comes as authorities battle a sharp rise in cybercrime, with fraudsters increasingly targeting millions of internet users who have limited awareness of digital security risks.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, announced earlier this week that users worldwide would soon be able to communicate using unique usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers, a feature designed to enhance user privacy.
However, Indian authorities fear the change could create new opportunities for cybercriminals in the platform’s largest market, which has more than 500 million users.
According to reports, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology warned Meta that the feature could be exploited for phishing attacks, impersonation scams, online fraud and the growing wave of so-called “digital arrest” scams.
Government officials reportedly expressed concern that fraudsters could register usernames resembling those of trusted individuals or organisations, making it difficult for less tech-savvy users to distinguish legitimate accounts from fake ones.
The ministry has asked Meta to postpone the launch until consultations with the government are concluded.
Meta confirmed that the username feature has not yet been introduced in India and said safeguards have already been built into the system to prevent abuse.
The company said usernames linked to public figures and verified accounts have been reserved to ensure they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners.
Meta also stressed that users will still need a valid phone number to create and use a WhatsApp account, adding that several layers of protection have been introduced to detect and prevent scams involving usernames.
The company recently appointed Indian fintech entrepreneur Kunal Shah to lead WhatsApp’s operations in the country.
The proposed feature is already available on WeChat, the messaging platform owned by Chinese technology company Tencent.
India has witnessed a dramatic surge in online fraud in recent years as rapid digital adoption continues to outpace public awareness of cybersecurity risks.
Government data shows citizens lost nearly $3 billion to cyber fraud in 2025, almost 40 times the amount recorded in 2021, underscoring growing concerns over digital safety in one of the world’s largest internet markets.
