Centre asks WhatsApp to explain username feature, seeks delay in India rollout

The government issued a notice to Meta seeking an explanation within three days on why regulatory action should not be taken over the feature

by e4m Desk
Published: Jul 2, 2026 9:15 AM | 1 min read

WhatsApp announced a new feature allowing users to reserve a username, aimed at enhancing privacy by enabling connections without sharing phone numbers.
The Indian government has requested an explanation from WhatsApp regarding this update and has instructed the platform not to launch it in India until consultations are completed.
A notice issued by the government on July 1 highlighted concerns that the feature could lead to increased risks of online fraud, phishing, and impersonation.
Users will need to know another person's exact username to initiate contact, and an optional username key can be enabled for added security before sending the first message.

Earlier this week, WhatsApp announced that users would be able to reserve a username ahead of the feature’s launch later this year. The company said the feature is designed to enhance user privacy by allowing people to connect without sharing their phone numbers.

According to media reports, the Indian government has asked WhatsApp to explain the proposed update and directed the platform not to roll it out in India until consultations with the authorities are completed.

On 1 July, the government issued a notice to Meta seeking an explanation within three days on why regulatory action should not be taken over the feature. The notice also stated the feature could increase the risk of ‘online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation’.

About the feature, WhatsApp had said users would need to know another person’s exact username to contact them for the first time. To provide an additional layer of protection, the platform said users could choose to enable an optional username key, which others would need to enter before sending the first message.