WhatsApp has received three more days to respond to the Indian government’s notice regarding its upcoming username feature. The Meta-owned messaging platform has assured the government that the feature will not be launched in India until discussions with the authorities are complete.
The extension was granted after WhatsApp requested more time to reply to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The company was originally expected to submit its response by July 3.
Last week, the government sent a notice to Meta over WhatsApp’s planned username feature. The new feature will allow users to connect with others without sharing their mobile numbers.
The government has raised concerns that the feature could increase the risk of online fraud, phishing, impersonation and “digital arrest” scams if proper safety measures are not in place.
In its notice, the government asked WhatsApp to keep the feature on hold until all discussions are completed. It also asked Meta to explain why action should not be taken under the Information Technology Act and reminded the company of its responsibilities as a major social media platform.
According to sources, representatives from Meta met officials from the IT Ministry on July 3 after receiving the notice. During the meeting, the company assured the government that the username feature would not be introduced in India until the consultation process is finished.
Earlier, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the username feature is still under development and is expected to roll out gradually later this year.
The company also clarified that users will still need a phone number to create and use a WhatsApp account. It added that usernames of public figures, government organisations, celebrities and verified Meta accounts will be reserved to prevent impersonation. Similar-looking usernames will also be restricted.
After issuing the notice to WhatsApp, the IT Ministry also sent notices to Telegram and Signal. The government has asked both platforms to explain how their existing username systems protect users from fraud and fake identities.
WhatsApp currently has around 500 million users in India, making it one of the country’s most widely used messaging platforms.
