Meta has submitted its response to the Centre after receiving a notice over WhatsApp’s upcoming username feature. The government is now reviewing the company’s explanation to decide whether the new feature has enough safeguards to prevent fraud, impersonation, and cybercrime.
The issue started soon after WhatsApp announced that users would soon be able to create unique usernames starting with the ‘@’ symbol. The feature is meant to improve privacy by allowing people to chat without sharing their mobile numbers. However, the government raised concerns that scammers could misuse these usernames to pretend to be government officials, banks, or celebrities.
Following discussions between Meta and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the company submitted its written response. Officials are now examining the proposed safety measures before deciding the next step.
Why WhatsApp’s Username Feature Raised Concerns
The new username feature is one of the biggest changes WhatsApp has introduced in recent years. Instead of sharing their phone numbers, users will have the option to connect using a unique username. Even with this change, every WhatsApp account will still be linked to a mobile number in Meta’s backend.
Meta says the feature has been designed with privacy in mind. Usernames will not appear in a public directory, meaning people cannot search for random accounts. To contact someone, users will need to know the exact username.
The company also plans to introduce an optional username PIN or key. New contacts may have to enter this key before they can send their first message. WhatsApp will also show helpful details when users receive messages from unknown accounts, such as the sender’s country, how old the account is, and whether both users are part of any common groups.
Soon after the announcement, concerns began to grow. Early users reportedly found that usernames similar to those of the Prime Minister, the Reserve Bank of India, and several celebrities could be claimed without any visible verification. This raised fears that fraudsters could use official-looking usernames to trick people.
Within a few days, MeitY issued a show-cause notice asking Meta to explain how it would stop such misuse. The government also wanted to know whether the feature should be delayed in India until stronger safeguards were in place.
The matter is important because India is WhatsApp’s largest market, with hundreds of millions of users relying on the app for personal communication, business, and everyday transactions.
Government Focuses on Fraud Risks as Meta Lists Safeguards
The Centre believes that usernames could make it easier for scammers to hide their identities. India has seen a sharp rise in online fraud, especially “digital arrest” scams, where criminals pretend to be police officers, CBI officials, or bank representatives to scare people into transferring money.
Officials worry that fake usernames that look official could make these scams even more convincing. There are also concerns that anonymous accounts could be used to spread fake news or misleading political content before elections, making it harder for authorities to identify those responsible.
In its response, Meta said it has already reserved usernames linked to government organisations, verified public figures, celebrities, and official Meta accounts so that scammers cannot claim them. The company also plans to block usernames that closely resemble genuine ones.
Meta has also proposed several other safety measures. These include limiting how many new people an account can contact within a certain period, blocking repeated attempts to guess username security keys, and using artificial intelligence to detect suspicious behaviour and impersonation attempts. The company said accounts found misusing the feature could lose their usernames or be permanently banned.
The issue has also started a wider discussion about the responsibilities of technology companies. The government says digital platforms must introduce strong safety measures before launching features that could affect user identity and online security.
At the same time, some digital rights groups believe governments should not have the power to stop new software features before they are launched. They argue that privacy tools and innovation should continue while platforms remain responsible for dealing with misuse.
The debate has now expanded beyond WhatsApp, with similar questions reportedly being raised with other messaging apps that already offer username-based identities.
For now, the government is studying Meta’s response before making a final decision. The outcome could influence not only the future of WhatsApp’s username feature in India but also how digital identity, privacy, and online safety are regulated in the years ahead.