India asks Meta to hold WhatsApp username rollout over fraud fears

India has asked Meta to delay WhatsApp’s planned username feature, warning that it could increase fraud and impersonation in the country, according to media reports. The request, raised by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, comes as authorities respond to a rise in cybercrime affecting users with limited digital safety awareness. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, said users worldwide would be able to connect via unique usernames instead of sharing phone numbers, a privacy-oriented change, and that the feature is not yet live in India. Officials cited risks including scammers claiming usernames, sending messages while pretending to be other people, and targeting victims through tactics such as phishing, “digital arrest” scams, and impersonation attacks. The ministry asked Meta not to roll out the feature until consultations are completed. Meta said it reserved the highest-profile names for legitimate owners and added layered defenses, and India has over half a billion WhatsApp users.