India asks WhatsApp to pause the rollout of usernames, according to reporting from Indian outlets citing government action. The move comes after WhatsApp’s plans for account identifiers beyond phone numbers drew regulatory attention. Multiple reports describe the request as a pause on the username feature’s wider deployment while the government reviews or raises concerns related to its implementation and potential implications for users’ privacy and account management. The reports frame the issue as a compliance and regulatory step rather than an immediate ban. They note that WhatsApp had been rolling out or preparing the username system, which allows users to be identified and found using a chosen handle rather than only a phone number. The government’s request centers on halting further rollout until clarifications are provided and the platform aligns with applicable rules. The outlets do not agree on all technical details of the underlying concerns, but they converge on the core point: Indian authorities are instructing WhatsApp to stop expanding username availability pending review.