The tech giant has been given a strict deadline of three days to respond to these regulatory inquiries.

The Indian government has issued an urgent notice to Meta regarding the rollout of the new username feature on WhatsApp. This intervention aims to address potential risks associated with the platform’s latest privacy-focused update, which is currently undergoing a phased global implementation.

Under the proposed update, WhatsApp users would no longer be required to reveal their phone numbers to first-time contacts. Instead, the feature introduces an optional username key, intended to provide users with an additional layer of control and privacy during their initial interactions on the messaging platform.

However, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has officially intervened. Authorities have directed Meta to provide a comprehensive, detailed explanation regarding the technical and functional mechanics of this username feature. The tech giant has been given a strict deadline of three days to respond to these regulatory inquiries.

Furthermore, the government has explicitly ordered Meta to halt the rollout of this feature across India until formal consultations between the company and the ministry are concluded. This suspension is intended to ensure that all security protocols are thoroughly vetted before any major changes affect the massive Indian user base.

The government’s primary concern centers on security, specifically fearing that anonymous usernames may facilitate online fraud, phishing, identity spoofing, and dangerous digital arrest scams. By delaying the launch, the ministry aims to prevent an increase in impersonation attacks that could threaten public safety.