WhatsApp gets 3 more days to respond on username feature, no rollout for now

The Meta-owned messaging app has assured the government that the feature will not be introduced in India until ongoing consultations are concluded.

In Short

• Meta assures no WhatsApp username feature in India yet
• Extension granted after WhatsApp's request
• Original reply deadline was July 3

WhatsApp has been given an additional three days to respond to the government's notice over its username feature. The Meta-owned messaging app has assured the government that the feature will not be introduced in India until ongoing consultations are concluded.

The extension comes after WhatsApp sought more time to submit its response to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

The platform was originally required to reply by July 3.

Last week, the government issued a notice to Meta over WhatsApp's planned username feature, which would allow users to communicate without sharing their mobile numbers.

It expressed concern that the feature could potentially facilitate online fraud, phishing, impersonation, and so-called "digital arrest" scams if introduced without adequate safeguards.

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

Sources said a Meta delegation met officials from the IT Ministry on July 3 following the issuance of the notice. During the discussions, the company assured the government that the username feature would not be rolled out in India until consultations are complete.

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

The company maintained that users would continue to require a phone number to create and use a WhatsApp account, adding that usernames of public figures, government entities, celebrities and verified Meta accounts would be reserved to prevent impersonation.

Lookalike variations of such usernames would also be restricted.

Following its notice to WhatsApp, the IT Ministry also issued notices to Telegram and Signal, seeking details on how their existing username-based systems address concerns related to fraud and impersonation.

While WhatsApp has an estimated 500 million users in India, Telegram's user base in the country is considerably smaller.

- Ends
(With PTI inputs)