Meta is introducing usernames on WhatsApp, while the Indian government continues to tighten regulations on the messaging platform amid privacy and security concerns.
Key Highlights
- WhatsApp users will soon be able to connect through usernames instead of sharing phone numbers.
- An optional username key will add an extra layer of privacy and help control unwanted messages.
- The development comes after the Centre’s scrutiny of messaging platforms following the temporary ban on Telegram.
- India remains WhatsApp’s biggest market with over 800 million users.
Meta-owned WhatsApp is preparing to roll out a new username feature that will allow users to communicate without revealing their mobile numbers. The move is expected to improve privacy, especially when users interact with people outside their contact list, such as in communities, businesses, and public groups.
According to Meta, users who choose a username will be able to share it instead of their phone number. To prevent misuse, the company will also introduce an optional “username key.” Anyone wishing to contact a user through their username may need this key, giving users greater control over who can reach them.
The announcement comes at a time when messaging platforms are under increased scrutiny in India. Recently, the Union government temporarily banned Telegram over concerns that the platform could be misused to circulate backdated examination papers after the NEET paper leak controversy. Telegram’s ability to let users communicate through usernames instead of phone numbers was also cited during the discussions surrounding the ban.
WhatsApp, however, continues to maintain that its end-to-end encryption protects user privacy. At the same time, Meta has been working with Indian authorities on regulatory requirements. The Department of Telecommunications has directed the company to ensure that WhatsApp accounts remain linked to the SIM card used during registration. Although an earlier proposal requiring WhatsApp Web sessions to log out every six hours was withdrawn, the SIM-binding requirement continues.
India is WhatsApp’s largest market, with more than 800 million users, accounting for over one-fourth of its global user base. This makes every product update and regulatory change significant for millions of consumers, businesses, students, and professionals who rely on the platform daily.
For users, the upcoming username feature could provide a better balance between convenience and privacy. People will be able to connect more securely without exposing their personal phone numbers, while additional verification measures are expected to reduce spam and unwanted messages. As digital communication becomes increasingly important, WhatsApp’s new feature reflects Meta’s effort to strengthen user privacy while continuing to operate within India’s evolving regulatory framework.
