Developing story: This is a developing story. Details may change as more information becomes available.
India has asked WhatsApp to pause the rollout of its upcoming username feature while consultations continue, according to a Reuters report. The feature would allow users to create unique usernames and message others without immediately revealing their phone numbers.
What happened
According to Reuters, India’s IT ministry told WhatsApp to hold the username rollout and explain the feature before moving ahead. The government has raised concerns that username-based messaging could increase risks such as online fraud, phishing, impersonation and digital arrest scams.
WhatsApp’s username feature is designed to give users more privacy by reducing the need to share a phone number with new contacts. The feature is expected to be useful for people who communicate with businesses, groups, communities or unknown contacts.
Why it matters
WhatsApp is widely used in India, so any major change to how users identify and contact each other can have a large impact. A username system could make communication more private, but regulators are also concerned that it may make it harder to trace misuse.
The debate shows the balance technology platforms must manage between privacy and safety. For users, the feature could reduce phone number exposure. For regulators, the concern is whether fraudsters could misuse usernames to contact people more easily.
What users should know
- The feature is not fully available to everyone yet. Rollout may happen gradually.
- Phone number privacy may improve when users contact new people or businesses.
- Scam risk does not disappear, so unknown usernames should still be treated carefully.
- India has asked for more clarity before the rollout continues.
What comes next
WhatsApp is expected to respond to the government’s concerns and explain what safety measures are built into the username system. The timeline for wider rollout in India may depend on those consultations.
This is a developing story. Details may change as more information becomes available.