New Delhi, July 2: WhatsApp has clarified that its upcoming username feature will remain optional and include multiple safeguards against impersonation, scams and unwanted contact, as the Centre has sought to delay its rollout in India pending consultations with the company. The messaging platform issued the clarification after concerns were raised over the feature, prompting the government to seek a detailed explanation before allowing its launch.
Meta-backed WhatsApp responded to a series of frequently asked questions on the microblogging platform X, outlining how the feature will function and the security measures designed to protect users. The clarification comes after the government directed the company to explain the proposed feature within three days and asked it not to introduce the service in India until consultations are completed.
According to WhatsApp, users will not be required to create a username, making the feature entirely optional. The company also stated that usernames associated with existing Instagram and Facebook accounts, public figures, celebrities, government entities and Meta Verified accounts have already been reserved so they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners.
The company rejected claims circulating online that widely recognised usernames could be claimed by anyone. It maintained that only verified and legitimate owners would be able to register well-known public names and their variations, reducing the risk of impersonation.
WhatsApp further clarified that the username feature has not yet been activated for messaging. Once launched later this year, users receiving messages from unknown accounts will be shown additional information before deciding whether to respond. This includes the sender’s country, whether the account is newly created and whether both users share any common groups.
The company also said usernames cannot be searched in the same manner as mobile phone numbers. As an additional privacy measure, users will be able to activate a “username key”, requiring anyone attempting to contact them to know both the username and the unique key before initiating communication.
The clarification follows growing scrutiny from the government over the potential misuse of the feature. Authorities have expressed concerns that username-based messaging could create opportunities for impersonation, fraud and online scams if adequate safeguards are not in place.
Earlier, the Centre sought a detailed explanation from Meta regarding the proposed feature and instructed the company to submit its response within three days. It also directed WhatsApp not to roll out the username feature in India until discussions with the government are concluded.
The issue has placed the proposed feature under closer regulatory examination, with the government seeking assurances that privacy enhancements do not compromise user safety or facilitate misuse. WhatsApp has maintained that the feature has been designed with multiple security protections and that its rollout will include safeguards intended to minimise abuse while enhancing user privacy.
