WhatsApp has submitted its response to the Centre’s notice regarding its proposed “username” feature, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is currently examining the company’s reply, according to official sources.
The government had earlier expressed concerns that allowing users to communicate through usernames instead of phone numbers could significantly increase the risk of cybercrimes, including phishing, impersonation, identity theft and digital-arrest scams. As a result, the Centre asked Meta-owned WhatsApp not to roll out the feature in India until consultations with the government were completed.
Officials confirmed that WhatsApp submitted its response on Thursday, following a four-day extension granted by MeitY. The company had requested additional time after holding discussions with ministry officials on July 2. However, WhatsApp has not issued any official statement on the matter.
Speaking on the sidelines of the CII GCC Business Summit, IT Secretary S. Krishnan said the ministry would carefully examine WhatsApp’s response before taking any further decision. He also noted that Telegram and Signal, which received similar notices, still have time to submit their replies, although reports suggest Telegram may have already responded.
The proposed username feature would enable WhatsApp users to connect without revealing their mobile phone numbers. While the feature is designed to enhance privacy, the government believes it could also make it easier for fraudsters to create fake identities and carry out online scams.
In its July 1 notice, MeitY asked WhatsApp to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and related rules. The ministry also reminded the platform that, as a Significant Social Media Intermediary (SSMI), it is required to comply with strict due diligence obligations under Indian law.
Similar notices were sent to Telegram and Signal on July 3, seeking details about the safety measures built into their username-based messaging systems and how they plan to prevent misuse, impersonation and financial fraud.
WhatsApp had earlier assured the government that it would not introduce the username feature in India until ongoing discussions with MeitY were concluded. The platform currently has around 500 million users in India, making it the country’s largest messaging service.
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