Meta's WhatsApp unveiled a username feature that lets users message each other without revealing phone numbers. The rollout is slated for later this year, and the app already permits reservation of handles through Settings > Account > Username. Indian government regulators flagged the tool, citing the IT Act, 2000 and 2021 Rules, and sent a formal request to pause deployment under mounting privacy pressure.

WhatsApp replied that a phone number remains mandatory for account activation and that multiple anti‑scam layers protect the new IDs. High‑profile names—public figures, government bodies, celebrities, verified Meta accounts—are reserved for their legitimate owners, while derivative or look‑alike handles are blocked. The company also limits how many new contacts an account can reach and flags first‑time messages with context cues.

The pause underscores tensions between rapid feature releases and regulatory scrutiny in markets like India, where WhatsApp commands a massive user base. By retaining phone‑number verification and reserving sensitive handles, Meta hopes to allay abuse fears while still delivering the promised convenience. Until the rollout resumes, users can only reserve usernames but not exchange messages through them today.