India has asked Meta to delay the rollout of WhatsApp usernames in the country, warning that the feature could fuel impersonation and online fraud.
India vs WhatsApp Usernames
India has asked Meta to hold off on WhatsApp’s planned username feature, warning it could open new doors for scammers, according to a report by Vanguard.
WhatsApp announced this week that users would soon connect via unique usernames instead of phone numbers, aimed at boosting privacy. But India, WhatsApp’s biggest market with over 500 million users, fears the feature could ease phishing and impersonation, particularly among less tech-savvy users.
Meta said the feature isn’t yet live in India and has reserved usernames for verified public figures. Indians lost nearly $3 billion to cyber fraud in 2025.
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