India Orders WhatsApp to Pause Username Feature Rollout Over Privacy and Fraud Concerns
India has directed WhatsApp to halt the rollout of its planned username feature and explain its implementation within three days, according to a government letter reviewed by Reuters. The feature, which would allow users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers, is part of a phased global rollout announced by Meta. Indian authorities have asked the company to suspend the launch until consultations with the government are completed, citing concerns over online safety.
The government argues that allowing users to interact through usernames instead of phone numbers could increase phishing, fraud, and impersonation attacks by making it easier for cybercriminals to hide their identities. Officials have linked the move to broader efforts to tackle anonymity on messaging platforms, following similar action against Telegram. India, WhatsApp’s largest market with more than 500 million users, has warned that failure to comply with due diligence requirements under the IT Act could affect the platform’s legal protections.
WhatsApp responded by stating that the username feature is not yet live and will be introduced gradually later this year. The company said users will still need a phone number to register, while new safeguards such as limits on contacting unknown users and protections against username guessing have been built into the feature. However, digital rights groups have criticised the government’s directive, arguing that existing laws do not give authorities the power to block or approve product features before they are launched.
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