India tells Meta to pause WhatsApp username rollout over cybercrime concerns
By Freny Patel ( July 2, 2026, 10:01 GMT | Insight) -- India has directed Meta Platforms to pause WhatsApp's planned username feature, citing cybercrime concerns. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has sought explanations under the Information Technology Act, marking one of the earliest regulatory interventions into the proposed rollout.Within 48 hours of Meta Platforms' global announcement of a planned WhatsApp username feature, the Indian government directed the messaging platform to pause its rollout pending regulatory consultations....
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