WhatsApp deadline ends today: Meta to respond to India's notice on username feature

WhatsApp is expected to respond to the Indian government's notice over its proposed username feature today, marking the end of an extended deadline granted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The Meta-owned messaging platform had sought additional time to reply after the ministry raised concerns that the feature could create fresh challenges in tackling online fraud and identity-related crimes if introduced without sufficient safeguards.

Speaking on the matter, MeitY Secretary S Krishnan confirmed that today is the deadline for WhatsApp's response. "Today is the deadline for receiving the response from WhatsApp," he said.

The original deadline had expired on July 3, but the government agreed to give the company three more days after Meta requested an extension. During discussions with officials, WhatsApp also assured the ministry that it would not launch the feature in India until consultations with the government were complete.

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Why is WhatsApp's username feature under scrutiny?

The proposed feature has drawn the government's attention because it would allow users to communicate without sharing their mobile numbers publicly. While the change is intended to improve privacy, officials fear it could also make it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify bad actors involved in cybercrime.

According to government officials, there are concerns that usernames could be misused for impersonation, phishing attacks, financial fraud and so-called "digital arrest" scams, in which fraudsters pose as government or law enforcement officials to extort money from victims.

As part of its notice, MeitY asked WhatsApp to put the rollout on hold until ongoing discussions conclude. The ministry also sought an explanation from Meta on why action should not be considered under the Information Technology Act and the intermediary guidelines, while reminding the company of its obligations to exercise due diligence on the platform.

The consultations extend beyond WhatsApp. The ministry has also sought information from Telegram and Signal, both of which already support username-based communication, to understand the safeguards they have implemented against fraud and identity misuse. The responses are expected to help the government assess what protections may be necessary before similar features are introduced more widely in India.

WhatsApp username feature explained

The proposed username system is designed to let users connect without revealing their phone numbers, offering an additional layer of privacy when interacting with people outside their contact list. Instead of sharing a mobile number, users would be able to communicate using a unique username.

However, WhatsApp has clarified that the feature will not replace phone numbers entirely. Users will still need a valid mobile number to register for and access their WhatsApp account, even after usernames are introduced.

During a meeting with MeitY officials on 3 July, Meta representatives reiterated that the feature remains under development and will not be rolled out in India until discussions with the government are concluded.

The company has also outlined some of the safeguards it plans to introduce. Usernames belonging to verified public figures, government agencies, celebrities and official Meta accounts will be reserved to prevent misuse. In addition, lookalike usernames intended to imitate verified accounts will be restricted to reduce the risk of impersonation.

Today's response from WhatsApp is expected to shape the next phase of discussions between the company and the government. While the feature promises greater privacy for users, Indian authorities have made it clear that any rollout will need to address concerns around traceability, fraud prevention and user safety before it receives the green light.