WhatsApp has secured a three-day extension to address Indian government concerns regarding its new username feature. The company confirmed it will delay the rollout in India until discussions on security and fraud risks are finished. This follows government warnings about potential increases in cybercrime and impersonation.
Meta-owned WhatsApp has been granted a three-day extension to file a formal response to the Indian government regarding its planned username feature. The messaging platform has assured officials that the feature will remain inactive in India while discussions with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology continue. This pause follows a government directive issued under the IT Act, which demanded an explanation for the feature’s potential impact on user safety.
The government raised concerns that allowing usernames could increase the risk of digital fraud, phishing, and impersonation scams. Authorities are particularly focused on the growing challenge of digital arrest scams and other online crimes, prompting a review of how platforms handle identity. As a significant social media intermediary, WhatsApp faces strict regulatory obligations regarding user safety and crime prevention.
Following the notice, a Meta delegation met with ministry officials to discuss these concerns. WhatsApp maintains that the username feature is not yet live and is intended for a gradual global rollout later this year. The company clarified that a phone number will remain the primary requirement for account operation, ensuring that usernames are an additional layer rather than a total replacement for phone-based identification.
To address the government's concerns about fraud, WhatsApp has detailed several safety measures built into the system. These include restrictions on guessing usernames, protections for high-profile accounts, and limitations on interactions with new contacts. The platform also plans to provide users with more context when they are contacted by someone new, such as information on mutual groups or the origin of the request, to help them identify potential impersonation attempts.
The regulatory scrutiny is not limited to WhatsApp. The IT Ministry has also issued similar notices to other messaging services like Telegram and Signal regarding their existing username features and fraud-mitigation strategies. With approximately 50 crore users in India, WhatsApp’s compliance with local cybersecurity regulations is critical for its continued operations. Investors and users should track the final outcome of these discussions, as the government’s stance on platform features could influence future product rollouts and compliance costs in the Indian market.