The feature, which is expected to be introduced to WhatsApp's three billion users worldwide over the coming months, would allow people to communicate using unique usernames instead of sharing their mobile phone numbers. However, the Government of India has questioned the potential security risks associated with the change and has sought an explanation from the platform before the feature is launched in the country.
In an official notice issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on Wednesday, the government asked WhatsApp to explain why action should not be initiated against the company under Indian law for introducing a feature that could increase cybercrime. The ministry stated that it had taken note of WhatsApp's announcement allowing users to reserve unique usernames and eventually contact one another without disclosing their phone numbers.
According to the ministry, the proposed feature may materially increase the incidence of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams, and impersonation attacks by enabling criminals to contact potential victims without revealing their actual phone numbers. The government has expressed concern that the added layer of anonymity could make it more difficult to identify cybercriminals and protect users from fraudulent activities.
Responding to the government's concerns, WhatsApp stated that the username feature has not yet been launched. The company said it has incorporated multiple safeguards into the system, including reserving usernames associated with high-profile individuals and implementing measures designed to detect impersonation attempts and fraudulent activities.
India is WhatsApp's largest market, with more than 850 million users on the Meta-owned messaging platform. The government's intervention marks the latest in a series of actions by Indian authorities to closely examine how global technology companies develop, introduce, and operate digital products and services within the country.
The notice underscores the government's increasing focus on strengthening cyber safety and protecting users from emerging digital threats before new technology features become widely available. The outcome of the government's review could influence how WhatsApp proceeds with the rollout of its username-based messaging system in one of its most significant global markets.
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