WhatsApp Username Feature: Meta Granted Extension by Government, Rollout Still On Hold in India

The Central Government has granted Meta-owned WhatsApp an additional three days to respond to concerns surrounding its proposed username feature, which has sparked a major privacy and cybersecurity debate in India. The extension comes after WhatsApp requested more time to submit a detailed reply. The company has also assured the government that the feature will not be launched in India until ongoing discussions are completed.

WhatsApp Username Feature Remains On Hold

The controversial feature would allow users to communicate using usernames instead of sharing their mobile numbers, offering greater privacy. However, the government believes that without strong safeguards, the feature could increase cybercrime and identity-based fraud.

Following the government's intervention, WhatsApp has confirmed that the feature has not yet gone live and will remain on hold in India until all regulatory concerns are addressed.

Why Is the Government Concerned?

Last week, the Centre issued a notice to Meta expressing concerns that the username feature could be exploited for:

Online fraud

Phishing attacks

Digital arrest scams

Identity impersonation

Financial fraud

The government directed Meta to suspend the rollout of the feature until adequate security measures are in place.

A team from Meta subsequently met officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to discuss the issue and explain the safeguards built into the proposed system.

Government Reminds Meta of IT Act Obligations

In its latest communication, the government reminded Meta of its legal responsibilities under the Information Technology (IT) Act and the IT Rules governing significant social media intermediaries.

Authorities have emphasized that user safety, fraud prevention, and compliance with Indian laws must remain the company's top priority before introducing any new communication feature.

WhatsApp's Response

Responding to the controversy, a WhatsApp spokesperson clarified that the username feature has not yet been rolled out.

The company stated that multiple security layers have been incorporated to prevent misuse. According to WhatsApp:

The feature will remain optional for users.

Usernames belonging to public figures, celebrities, government entities, and verified accounts have already been reserved to prevent impersonation.

Additional security systems have been developed to reduce the risk of fraud and fake identities.

Telegram and Signal Also Receive Government Notices

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has also issued notices to Telegram and Signal, seeking details about the measures they have implemented to prevent online fraud and identity-related scams on their platforms.

In recent weeks, the government has intensified its scrutiny of major messaging and social media platforms. Apart from the WhatsApp username issue, Meta has also received notices over child abuse material (CSAM) advertisements on Instagram, while Telegram has been questioned regarding piracy-related concerns.

What Happens Next?

Meta now has three additional days to submit its comprehensive response. Until the government is satisfied with the company's security framework and fraud prevention mechanisms, the WhatsApp Username feature will remain unavailable in India.

The final decision on the feature's rollout is expected after the government's review of Meta's response.