The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has intensified its scrutiny of WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, citing concerns that it could facilitate impersonation and create new avenues for cybercrime.
Speaking on Friday, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan said the government has sought an explanation from WhatsApp over the feature, while similar queries have also been sent to messaging platforms Telegram and Signal.
“We have taken up the issue of using usernames because there is a serious possibility of impersonations and there is the kind of encouragement that facilitates to commit cybercrime, which is a very serious issue. This is another dimension of the way that cybercrimes can be committed, which is the reason why we have directed WhatsApp to explain why they have this feature. Similarly, we have sought explanations from others (Telegram and Signal),” Krishnan said.
#WATCH | Delhi | Over WhatsApp on their new User ID rollout plan, S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, says, “We have taken up the issue of using usernames because there is a serious possibility of impersonations and there is the kind of… pic.twitter.com/Pvdv7S9P6w
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2026
The remarks come days after the Centre issued a notice to WhatsApp over its planned “usernames” feature, which was announced on June 29, 2026. The notice asked the Meta-owned messaging platform to explain within three days why regulatory action should not be initiated against it for introducing a feature that could potentially increase cybercrime.
The government also directed WhatsApp not to roll out the feature until consultations with the Centre are completed to its satisfaction.
According to MeitY, the username-based system could increase the risk of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and identity impersonation. The ministry has also flagged the possibility that fraudsters could create usernames resembling those of individuals, government agencies, public authorities and financial institutions to deceive users.
WhatsApp, however, has defended the feature, arguing that it has incorporated multiple safeguards to prevent abuse.
In a statement, the company said the username feature has not yet gone live and will be rolled out gradually later this year.
“We’ve announced the option for people to reserve their preferred username on WhatsApp. The ability to use a username is not yet live and will roll out slowly later this year. To protect against impersonation, we’ve held the highest-profile names, including those of public figures, government entities, celebrities and verified Meta accounts, so they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. Lookalike derivatives of known names are also reserved,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said.
The company added that it has built layered protections against misuse, including restrictions on how many new users an account can contact.
Separately, WhatsApp published a detailed FAQ on X addressing concerns raised by the government. The company said usernames, like phone numbers, cannot be searched within the app, reducing the likelihood of unsolicited contact.
It also highlighted the use of a “username key” as an additional security measure, allowing users to control who can initiate conversations. The key can be reset at any time to block new inbound messages.
WhatsApp further clarified that linking Instagram or Facebook accounts is optional and only required for users who wish to reserve the same username across Meta’s platforms. The accounts can be unlinked after the username is secured.
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