India asks Meta to pause WhatsApp username rollout over impersonation fears

The Indian government has urged Meta to halt the rollout of WhatsApp usernames, raising concerns about potential impersonation and cybercrime risks. The feature allows users to create unique handles, enabling communication without sharing phone numbers. While Meta argues the feature enhances user privacy, Indian officials fear it could be exploited by bad actors. The government is seeking security assurances from Meta before permitting widespread adoption of the feature. The outcome could shape how millions of Indian users manage their digital identities on the platform.