New Delhi: The Indian government has issued a formal notice to Meta, directing the technology giant to explain its new WhatsApp “usernames” feature and suspend any rollout in the country until further consultations are complete. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has given Meta three days to provide a detailed report on how the privacy-focused update will work, amid mounting concerns over impersonation, online fraud and challenges to traceability.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-100-eminent-people-from-india-pak-write-open-letter-to-modi-shehbaz-appeal-to-end-hostilities-1782916095110">Over 100 eminent people from India, Pak write open letter to Modi, Shehbaz; appeal to end hostilities</a>&nbsp;WhatsApp, used by hundreds of millions in India, announced last week that users would soon be able to reserve unique usernames, allowing them to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers. The feature, already open for reservations in some markets and slated for wider rollout later in 2026, is designed to allow users to chat, join groups or contact businesses via handles like @exampleuser rather than their mobile numbers.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-invites-india-s-ruling-bjp-and-opposition-congress-to-khamenei-state-funeral-1782905079005">Iran invites India’s ruling BJP and opposition Congress to Khamenei state funeral</a>&nbsp;Meta has described the change as a major step forward, with safeguards including reserved names for public figures, celebrities and government entities, limits on contact attempts and no public directory of usernames. WhatsApp head Kunal Shah, an Indian fintech entrepreneur recently appointed to the role, promoted the username feature as “a more private way to connect”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/decoding-japan-s-soft-power-and-cultural-influence-india-others-tend-to-overlook-1782901121503">Decoding Japan’s soft power and cultural influence India, others tend to overlook</a>&nbsp;But it is clear that the Indian government is not convinced and is concerned that fraudsters could create fake profiles mimicking officials or agencies, especially using international numbers, making it harder to trace perpetrators. Meta has yet to respond publicly to the notice.&nbsp;For the social media giant, India represents one of WhatsApp’s largest and fastest-growing markets, driving user numbers and engagement that bolster the company’s global valuation.

The feature, already open for reservations in some markets and slated for wider rollout later in 2026, is designed to allow users to chat, join groups or contact businesses via handles like @exampleuser rather than their mobile numbers.

New Delhi: The Indian government has issued a formal notice to Meta, directing the technology giant to explain its new WhatsApp “usernames” feature and suspend any rollout in the country until further consultations are complete. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has given Meta three days to provide a detailed report on how the privacy-focused update will work, amid mounting concerns over impersonation, online fraud and challenges to traceability. Also Read: Over 100 eminent people from India, Pak write open letter to Modi, Shehbaz; appeal to end hostilities WhatsApp, used by hundreds of millions in India, announced last week that users would soon be able to reserve unique usernames, allowing them to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers. The feature, already open for reservations in some markets and slated for wider rollout later in 2026, is designed to allow users to chat, join groups or contact businesses via handles like @exampleuser rather than their mobile numbers. Also Read: Iran invites India’s ruling BJP and opposition Congress to Khamenei state funeral Meta has described the change as a major step forward, with safeguards including reserved names for public figures, celebrities and government entities, limits on contact attempts and no public directory of usernames. WhatsApp head Kunal Shah, an Indian fintech entrepreneur recently appointed to the role, promoted the username feature as “a more private way to connect”. Also Read: Decoding Japan’s soft power and cultural influence India, others tend to overlook But it is clear that the Indian government is not convinced and is concerned that fraudsters could create fake profiles mimicking officials or agencies, especially using international numbers, making it harder to trace perpetrators. Meta has yet to respond publicly to the notice. For the social media giant, India represents one of WhatsApp’s largest and fastest-growing markets, driving user numbers and engagement that bolster the company’s global valuation.

The feature, already open for reservations in some markets and slated for wider rollout later in 2026, is designed to allow users to chat, join groups or contact businesses via handles like @exampleuser rather than their mobile numbers.

India directs Meta to halt WhatsApp usernames feature until consultations are complete

WhatsApp is finally getting rid of one of its most criticised limitations. For years, users had to share their phone numbers to connect with new contacts on the platform. That is about to change. Now, WhatsApp has begun rolling out usernames globally, allowing people to chat with others without revealing their personal mobile numbers.The feature, which started rolling out from June 29, will eventually reach WhatsApp's more than three billion users worldwide over the coming months. And if you have a username in mind, you may want to act quickly.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/how-to-spot-a-digital-arrest-scam-before-you-lose-money-red-flags-you-cannot-miss-wion-decodes-1782465781683">How to spot a digital arrest scam before you lose money, 5 red flags you cannot miss | WION Decodes</a><h2>'Timing is everything'</h2>In an announcement on X, WhatsApp CEO Kunal Shah revealed that he had already secured his preferred username ahead of the public rollout."Timing is everything. Joined WhatsApp early enough to claim my username before we release this to the world. Time to get yours," Shah wrote.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Timing is everything. Joined WhatsApp early enough to claim my username before we release this to the world. Time to get yours. A more private way to connect. Coming soon to your WhatsApp. <a href="https://t.co/ZIq3S5n7gc">https://t.co/ZIq3S5n7gc</a>&mdash; Kunal Shah (@kunalb11) <a href="https://x.com/kunalb11/status/2071624878713971176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>How to reserve your WhatsApp username</h2>Users who have received access to the feature can reserve a username in a few simple steps:<ol><li>Update WhatsApp to the latest version</li><li>Open Settings</li><li>Tap Account</li><li>Select Username</li><li>Choose an available username</li><li>Confirm your selection</li></ol>WhatsApp says users will receive a notification when the feature becomes available in their region.

<h2>Why does WhatsApp suddenly need usernames?</h2>According to WhatsApp, the answer is simple: privacy. The company says there are many situations where users want to stay in touch without handing over a personal phone number.Think about someone you met at a conference. A parent from your child's sports team. A neighbour. A classmate. Or even a seller in an online marketplace group. Until now, exchanging numbers was often the only way to continue a conversation with acquaintances on WhatsApp.Now, the company says usernames will solve this problem. Once the feature is fully activated, users will be able to connect by sharing a unique username instead of their phone number. Unlike social media platforms such as Instagram or X, however, WhatsApp insists this is not designed to become a public identity system.There will be no searchable username directory. Users will need to know your exact username before they can message you for the first time.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/digital-arrest-scam-doctors-engineers-ceos-why-smart-indians-keep-getting-trapped-by-the-fraud-wion-decodes-1782460955929">Digital arrest scam: Doctors, engineers, CEOs - Why smart Indians keep getting trapped by the fraud | WION Decodes</a><h2>How will WhatsApp usernames work?</h2>WhatsApp says usernames can be up to 35 characters long and users will be able to change, update or remove them whenever they want. Importantly, creating a username is optional. Existing users can continue using the platform exactly as they do today.High-profile usernames to be protectedThe company has also put restrictions in place to reduce impersonation. That means usernames associated with high-profile public figures, government officials, and celebrities will be protected. So users are unlikely to find names such as Donald Trump or other well-known personalities available for registration.Meanwhile, businesses, creators and organisations may be able to claim usernames that match their existing Instagram or Facebook accounts where possible.<h2>What is the Username Key?</h2>WhatsApp is also introducing an additional security feature called the Username Key. The optional tool allows users to create a custom key that first-time contacts must enter before sending a message through a username.The company says the feature gives users greater control over who can reach them and can be changed at any time.The move comes as WhatsApp tries to position usernames as a privacy-focused communication tool rather than another social media feature.Currently, WhatsApp protects messages with end-to-end encryption, meaning the company cannot read the contents of private chats. However, like many digital platforms, it still collects certain metadata, including information about who users contact and when.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WhatsApp has begun rolling out usernames globally, allowing users to chat without sharing their personal phone numbers. Here's how you can claim your unique username.

WhatsApp is finally getting rid of one of its most criticised limitations. For years, users had to share their phone numbers to connect with new contacts on the platform. That is about to change. Now, WhatsApp has begun rolling out usernames globally, allowing people to chat with others without revealing their personal mobile numbers. The feature, which started rolling out from June 29, will eventually reach WhatsApp's more than three billion users worldwide over the coming months. And if you have a username in mind, you may want to act quickly. Also read | How to spot a digital arrest scam before you lose money, 5 red flags you cannot miss | WION Decodes 'Timing is everything' In an announcement on X, WhatsApp CEO Kunal Shah revealed that he had already secured his preferred username ahead of the public rollout. "Timing is everything. Joined WhatsApp early enough to claim my username before we release this to the world. Time to get yours," Shah wrote.

WhatsApp has begun rolling out usernames globally, allowing users to chat without sharing their personal phone numbers. Here's how you can claim your unique username.

WhatsApp introduces usernames: Don't MISS OUT on your unique username - Here's how you can reserve it

whatsapp-usernames

Whatsapp Usernames, News on Whatsapp Usernames, stories on Whatsapp Usernames, articles on Whatsapp Usernames, Whatsapp Usernames stories at Wion, Whatsapp Usernames news, Whatsapp Usernames latest news

whatsapp usernames

India directs Meta to halt WhatsApp usernames feature until consultations are complete

WhatsApp usernames: Here's how to reserve yours before someone else GRABS IT