WhatsApp Gets 3-Day Extension to Respond on Username Feature, Rollout on Hold

WhatsApp has been granted an additional three days to respond to the Centre’s notice over its proposed username feature.

With the Meta-owned messaging platform assuring the government that the feature will not be rolled out in India until consultations are completed.

The extension was granted after WhatsApp sought more time to submit its response to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The company had initially been asked to reply by July 3.

Last week, the IT Ministry issued a notice to Meta over WhatsApp’s planned username feature, which would allow users to connect without sharing their mobile numbers. The government raised concerns that the feature could increase the risk of online fraud, phishing, impersonation and so-called “digital arrest” scams if introduced without adequate safeguards.

The notice asked WhatsApp to keep the feature on hold until its discussions with the government are concluded. It also sought an explanation from Meta on why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and the applicable intermediary rules, reminding the company of its due diligence obligations as a significant social media intermediary.

According to government sources, a Meta delegation met MeitY officials on July 3 following the issuance of the notice. During the meeting, the company assured the government that the username feature would not be launched in India until the consultation process is complete.

Responding to the controversy last week, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the username feature remains under development and is expected to be rolled out gradually later this year.

The company also clarified that users will still need a mobile number to create and use a WhatsApp account. It added that usernames belonging to government bodies, public figures, celebrities and verified Meta accounts will be reserved to reduce the risk of impersonation, while lookalike usernames will also be blocked.

The IT Ministry has also issued notices to Telegram and Signal, seeking details of the safeguards built into their existing username-based systems to prevent fraud and impersonation.

WhatsApp has an estimated 500 million users in India, making it the country’s largest messaging platform, while Telegram has a significantly smaller user base.