2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jul 1, 2026 08:50 PM ISTThe new feature to add usernames to accounts was announced on June 29. (File photo)The Centre on Wednesday issued a notice to Meta over the proposed rollout of WhatsApp’s username feature in India and directed the company not to launch it until consultations with the government are completed.The government has also asked Meta to submit a detailed explanation of the feature within three days, according to sources.The notice pertains to the planned introduction of the username feature on WhatsApp in India, one of the platform’s largest markets with more than 500 million users.The feature, publicly announced on June 29, 2026, permits existing and new users on WhatsApp to reserve unique usernames and, upon full activation, to initiate and conduct conversations by exchanging usernames alone, without disclosing their mobile telephone numbers.The Centre, in the notice, said, “It is felt that the feature may materially increase the incidence of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks, by enabling bad actors to solicit and message victims.”It added, “Furthermore, this feature may facilitate impersonation and identity spoofing, including impersonation of individuals, public authorities, financial institutions, and government agencies, by permitting the adoption of usernames closely resembling those of genuine persons or institutions.”© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd Tags:IndiaWhatsappAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Advertisement