WhatsApp has been granted an additional three days, until July 9th, to respond to a government notice concerning its proposed username feature, which would allow users to communicate without sharing phone numbers; the Centre, represented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), expressed concerns that this feature could facilitate online fraud, phishing, and impersonation, citing relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and emphasizing WhatsApp's obligations as a social media intermediary. WhatsApp assured the government it would not launch the feature in India until discussions are concluded, and stated that safeguards are in place, including the continued requirement of a phone number for account use and the gradual rollout of the feature later this year. This scrutiny extends to other messaging platforms, as Telegram and Signal have also received notices regarding their username features, while Instagram faces an order to disable ads promoting child sexual abuse material, and Telegram has been warned about the distribution of pirated content.

WhatsApp has been granted an additional three days, until July 9th, to respond to a government notice concerning its proposed username feature, which would allow users to communicate without sharing phone numbers; the Centre, represented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), expressed concerns that this feature could facilitate online fraud, phishing, and impersonation, citing relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and emphasizing WhatsApp's obligations as a social media intermediary. WhatsApp assured the government it would not launch the feature in India until discussions are concluded, and stated that safeguards are in place, including the continued requirement of a phone number for account use and the gradual rollout of the feature later this year. This scrutiny extends to other messaging platforms, as Telegram and Signal have also received notices regarding their username features, while Instagram faces an order to disable ads promoting child sexual abuse material, and Telegram has been warned about the distribution of pirated content.

WhatsApp has been granted an additional three days, until July 9th, to respond to a government notice concerning its proposed username feature, which would allow users to communicate without sharing phone numbers; the Centre, represented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), expressed concerns that this feature could facilitate online fraud, phishing, and impersonation, citing relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and emphasizing WhatsApp's obligations as a social media intermediary. WhatsApp assured the government it would not launch the feature in India until discussions are concluded, and stated that safeguards are in place, including the continued requirement of a phone number for account use and the gradual rollout of the feature later this year. This scrutiny extends to other messaging platforms, as Telegram and Signal have also received notices regarding their username features, while Instagram faces an order to disable ads promoting child sexual abuse material, and Telegram has been warned about the distribution of pirated content.

The Centre has given Meta-owned WhatsApp an additional three days to respond to its notice on the contentious username feature, after the messaging platform sought more time and assured the government it would not roll out the feature in India until discussions conclude, as per agency reports.

The extension pushes WhatsApp's original Friday deadline further, with the company now expected to submit its detailed reply to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) by July 9. 

The dispute began on the first of this month when the Centre issued a notice questioning WhatsApp's planned username feature, which would allow users to message one another using a unique handle instead of sharing phone numbers.

The government flagged concerns that the feature could materially increase online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks, and directed WhatsApp to pause its rollout until consultations are completed "to the satisfaction of the Government".

The notice cited provisions of the Information Technology Act, including sections dealing with identity theft and cheating by impersonation, and reminded WhatsApp of its due diligence obligations as a significant social media intermediary.

A Meta team met MeitY officials last Friday following the summons, and WhatsApp has maintained that the feature is not yet live and will roll out gradually later this year, with multiple safeguards including reserved high-profile usernames and systems to detect impersonation attempts.

The company has also said users will still require a phone number to use WhatsApp, and senders will need to know a recipient's exact username to initiate contact.

The scrutiny has widened beyond WhatsApp. The IT Ministry has also sent notices to Telegram and Signal over their existing username features, while separately issuing MeitY orders directing Instagram to disable advertisements allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material, and warning Telegram over the spread of pirated films and OTT content on its platform.

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