India tells Meta to hold off on WhatsApp usernames over scam fears

India's government has told Meta not to launch usernames on WhatsApp until talks on the issue are finished. Sources said a notice gives Meta three days to explain the feature. The main fear is scams, because fake accounts could use names that look official.

What usernames would do

Usernames would let people chat on WhatsApp without sharing their phone number. WhatsApp says the goal is better privacy. That could matter in group chats and when messaging someone new. Officials said users can already reserve usernames.

Why officials are worried

Officials fear people could pick names that look like government agencies or public figures. They say that could increase scams and fraud. Cybersecurity experts and startup founders raised the same concern. Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma said on X that similar names may aid scams.

The notice asks Meta for details on the feature, its safeguards and its rollout plans. WhatsApp has more than 500 million users in India, so any change reaches a huge number of people.

What is not known yet

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sources said the government could consider steps to block the rollout if the answer is unsatisfactory. Law enforcement agencies may also review the change. It is not clear when the talks will end or when usernames might launch in India.

• Do not trust a name just because it looks official.
• Be careful with messages from unknown contacts, especially ones asking for money.