India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has ordered Meta to halt the launch of WhatsApp's username registration feature [1, 2].
This intervention highlights the growing tension between global tech platforms and national regulators over digital security. By pausing the rollout, the Indian government is signaling that user privacy and the prevention of fraud take precedence over the rapid deployment of new social features.
The government issued the formal notice on July 1, 2026 [1, 2]. Officials said that the username feature could be misused for impersonation and fraud, which would pose significant risks to the digital security of users [1, 2].
According to a report from PTI, the Centre issued the notice on Wednesday regarding the controversial feature due to these concerns about fraud and impersonation [2]. The government is now seeking a detailed explanation from Meta regarding how the feature operates and what safeguards are in place [1].
Meta has three days to provide a response to the ministry [1]. The government has requested that the feature remain on hold until consultations are completed to ensure the tool does not compromise user safety [2].
WhatsApp has traditionally relied on phone numbers for identity verification. The shift toward usernames would allow users to connect without sharing their private mobile numbers, a move Meta intends as a privacy improvement. However, the Indian government argues this anonymity could be exploited by bad actors to create fake profiles and deceive the public [1, 2].
“The government has asked Meta to pause WhatsApp's upcoming username registration feature”
This move reflects India's increasingly assertive stance on 'digital sovereignty' and its willingness to block specific product features that do not align with local security standards. If Meta cannot satisfy the IT Ministry's requirements, it may be forced to disable the feature specifically for the Indian market, creating a fragmented user experience where different regions have different versions of the app based on local regulatory approvals.
