Centre may issue notice to WhatsApp over username feature. Here's why

WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, designed to let users connect without sharing their phone numbers, is drawing scrutiny from the Indian government even before its wider rollout.

According to News18, the Centre is considering issuing a notice to Meta over the feature, amid concerns that it could complicate investigations by making it harder for law enforcement agencies to identify users.

Meta has positioned usernames as a privacy enhancement that allows people to interact without revealing their mobile numbers in certain situations. However, government officials are understood to be assessing whether the feature could inadvertently create conditions similar to those seen on Telegram, where anonymity has been cited as a challenge during criminal investigations.

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Why is Indian govt concerned over a WhatsApp feature?

The government's concerns stem from the way usernames change user identity on the platform. Once the feature is available, users will be able to communicate without automatically disclosing their phone numbers in scenarios such as large group chats or when contacting someone for the first time. Phone numbers will remain hidden unless users choose to share them.

While the change is aimed at improving privacy, officials fear that concealing a user's primary identifier could make attribution more difficult in cases involving cybercrime and other unlawful activities.

The issue has gained significance in light of the Centre's recent submissions before a court during proceedings linked to the alleged NEET paper leak. During the hearing, the government argued that Telegram had increasingly become a hub connecting cybercriminal networks and hidden online ecosystems.

"Telegram has become the new dark web, linking threat actors," the Centre told the court.

According to the government's submissions, Telegram channels have been used to circulate links to hidden forums, making investigations more complex. Officials also argued that the platform's privacy settings allow users to conceal identifying information, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to establish the identity behind an account despite backend phone number registration.

Against that backdrop, officials are reportedly examining whether WhatsApp's username-based identity system could present similar enforcement challenges if misused by criminal networks.

WhatsApp username rollout

Meta has clarified that the username feature will be introduced gradually rather than becoming available to all users at once.

The rollout begins this week with users being able to reserve their preferred usernames. The feature itself is expected to launch later this year before expanding to users in phases over the coming months. WhatsApp will notify users within the app once the functionality becomes available in their respective countries.

The company says it has opted for an early reservation system because of WhatsApp's massive global user base, giving users an opportunity to secure their preferred usernames before the broader rollout begins.

Although the feature is intended to strengthen user privacy, its introduction is likely to face close regulatory scrutiny in India as authorities weigh the balance between protecting personal information and ensuring effective law enforcement.