WhatsApp Given 3 Extra Days to Respond on Username Feature, Assures No India Rollout Until Talks End

On July 4, 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) granted WhatsApp an additional three days to submit its response on the proposed username feature. The messaging platform has also confirmed that it will not launch the username feature in India until government consultations on the matter are complete. This follows a notice issued by the Centre on July 1, 2026, which questioned the security and privacy implications of the feature, citing risks of impersonation, phishing, and digital fraud.

The username feature allows users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers, aiming to improve privacy. However, the government expressed concern that it could be exploited for online scams, particularly given the rise in digital fraud cases in India. Under the Information Technology Act, 2000, intermediaries like WhatsApp are required to follow due diligence norms, including preventing misuse of their platforms for illegal activities. The IT Ministry has asked Meta to justify why no regulatory action should be taken under the IT Act against the feature.

In response, Meta held a meeting with IT Ministry officials on July 3, 2026, and reiterated that the username feature is not yet active in India. The company has implemented safeguards such as verification for public figures, blocking of fake or lookalike usernames, and systems to detect impersonation patterns. It also plans to display user metadata—like whether a sender is new, a contact, or from another country—before allowing replies to help users assess authenticity.

The government has issued similar notices to Telegram and Signal, asking how they are managing risks related to usernames, especially in light of growing concerns over digital fraud. While WhatsApp has over 50 crore users in India, Telegram’s user base in the country remains significantly smaller. The regulatory scrutiny comes amid broader concerns over content safety, including a separate notice on July 4, 2026, regarding child sexual abuse material on Instagram ads and another on pirated content on Telegram.

The move highlights the government’s growing emphasis on digital safety and accountability of social media platforms. It also reflects a shift toward proactive regulation, where platforms must demonstrate compliance with Indian laws before introducing new features. The outcome of these discussions may set a precedent for how digital intermediaries operate in India.