The Indian government is closely examining WhatsApp’s upcoming username feature following concerns about fake accounts and online fraud. Sources from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) indicate that officials will thoroughly study the feature before it becomes widely available. The goal is to ensure the new capability does not introduce additional risks for users.
WhatsApp’s username feature allows people to chat without sharing their phone numbers. Instead, users can create a unique identifier—up to 35 characters long, including letters, numbers, dots, and underscores—to communicate with new contacts, join groups, or connect with businesses. The company touts this as a privacy improvement, helping keep personal phone numbers private.
Government Raises Safety Concerns
While the feature enhances privacy, the government believes it could also create opportunities for abuse. For example, a malicious actor could register a username that closely resembles a real person’s name or a trusted business. Unsuspecting users might not notice the subtle difference and could end up interacting with impostors, leading to scams, fraud, or the spread of misinformation.
Officials have stressed that user safety remains the highest priority. Every legal and security implication tied to the feature will be reviewed. If the government finds insufficient safeguards, MeitY may issue a notice to WhatsApp demanding stronger protections before the broader rollout.
WhatsApp’s Planned Protections
WhatsApp has already announced several measures to prevent misuse. The company will not maintain a public directory of usernames; users must know the exact username to start a conversation. Additionally, WhatsApp is introducing an optional username key—a secondary code that must be provided before a first message can be sent. This adds an extra layer of security.
To further reduce impersonation risk, the platform plans to reserve usernames linked to government offices, public figures, celebrities, and well-known brands. WhatsApp says these steps will help keep the platform safe as the feature expands.
Security experts caution, however, that fake accounts remain a challenge. A scammer could simply alter one letter or add a number to a legitimate username, creating a convincing impostor. Given that online fraud is already prevalent in India, robust verification mechanisms will be essential before the feature reaches millions of users.
Why India Is Reviewing the Feature
The government’s review is part of a broader effort to ensure that new technologies prioritize user protection. While privacy is important, strong security is equally necessary when a platform serves hundreds of millions of people daily.
WhatsApp has already begun allowing users to reserve usernames prior to the official launch. Users can change or delete their usernames at any time. Businesses and creators can claim the same usernames they use on Instagram and Facebook.
The Indian government has not announced a final decision yet, but the ongoing review signals that New Delhi wants stronger safeguards against online fraud, impersonation, and other digital security threats before the WhatsApp username feature goes live.