The Indian government has sent a notice to Meta requiring the company to stop the planned introduction of a username option for WhatsApp users in the country. The notice asks for a full response about the feature within three days and instructs the firm to delay any release until further discussions conclude, according to sources. The action follows reports that officials are considering legal steps to limit the username system due to worries over impersonation and identity theft. The option, set for gradual introduction later this year, would let people communicate via usernames rather than sharing phone numbers. Specialists note it could limit exposure of personal contact details and reduce certain risks like SIM swapping, yet it also prompts new issues around data handling, app connections, and fraud. Additional user concerns involve possible data transfers to other Meta services. Meta has stated that usernames will not alter how accounts function and that connections to Facebook or Instagram will stay optional. The company confirmed the feature is not active and will expand slowly. It added that high-profile names are reserved for verified owners to prevent misuse, users must still provide a phone number, and multiple protections exist against scams and unwanted contact.
