The (Indian) government yesterday slapped a notice on Meta over the controversial username feature on WhatsApp in India and warned it not to roll it out until consultations on the issue are completed, according to sources.

The government, according to a PTI report from New Delhi, also directed Meta to furnish a detailed explanation on the username feature within three days, sources said. India is a key market for the messaging giant that has over 500 million users.

The Meta-owned platform has been directed not to roll out the said feature until consultation on the matter is over, sources informed.

The notice to the tech giant comes amid rising concerns that WhatsApp’s new username feature could facilitate impersonation, fraud and online scams.

Earlier on Wednesday (July 1), sources had said that notice to the platform will seek details of the feature, its safeguards and the company’s rollout plans, while law enforcement agencies may also examine the issue.

As per the PTI report, sources had, at that point, indicated that authorities would also examine the legal framework governing the feature and whether existing laws provide for restricting its rollout if it is found to pose risks to public safety or national security.

WhatsApp plans to introduce a username later this year, allowing users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. The Meta-owned messaging platform says the feature is designed to enhance privacy, particularly in group chats and interactions with new contacts.

However, cybersecurity experts and startup founders have raised concerns that users could create usernames resembling those of businesses, government agencies or public figures, potentially enabling impersonation, fraud and financial scams unless robust verification and anti-abuse safeguards are put in place.

“The government, as the statutory authority, will have to satisfy itself that the feature does not pose risks, given the legitimate concerns surrounding it,” a source had told PTI.

If WhatsApp’s response is found to be unsatisfactory, the government could consider steps to prevent the feature’s rollout in India, the sources added.

An email sent to WhatsApp seeking comment did not receive an immediate response. WhatsApp has already allowed users to reserve usernames.