The Eastern Voice Correspondent

New Delhi. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked Meta to stop the launch of WhatsApp’s new username feature in India and has given the company 72 hours to explain its security measures.

The action comes after WhatsApp introduced a feature that lets users create unique @usernames. Meta said the feature was made to improve privacy by hiding phone numbers, but Indian officials fear it could lead to more identity theft, fake brand accounts, and “digital arrest” extortion scams. Tech experts also warned that similar-looking characters in usernames could increase phishing and online fraud.

Under India’s IT Rules 2021, Meta could face action if the feature affects public safety. Meta has said that all usernames are still connected to verified phone numbers, which can help law enforcement track users when needed. However, the launch has been paused until the government finishes a complete cyber security review.