The Centre has granted Meta an additional three days to respond to concerns raised over WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, which allows users to connect without sharing their phone numbers. The extension comes after the company sought more time to submit its reply to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), according to PTI.
Meta has also assured the government that the feature will not be rolled out in India until discussions with authorities are complete.
Centre raises cybercrime and impersonation concerns
The government issued a notice to Meta last week over WhatsApp’s planned username feature, expressing concerns that it could increase online fraud, phishing attacks, digital arrest scams and impersonation.
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According to PTI, the Centre directed WhatsApp to pause the rollout of the feature until consultations are completed “to the satisfaction of the government.”
Officials have also asked Meta to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and relevant rules, arguing that WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, remains bound by due diligence obligations.
Following the notice, a Meta delegation met officials from the IT Ministry last Friday.
Meta say feature won’t launch until talks end
Meta has told the government that the username feature is not yet live and will only be rolled out gradually later this year.
In a statement issued last week, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the platform has reserved usernames belonging to public figures, government entities, celebrities and verified Meta accounts to prevent impersonation.
“To protect against impersonation, we’ve held the highest-profile names… so they can only ever be claimed by their legitimate owners,” the spokesperson said.
The company also said users will still need a phone number to create a WhatsApp account and that multiple safeguards have been built into the feature.
According to WhatsApp, users will be able to see whether a first-time message comes from a new account, an existing contact, a mutual group member or someone based in another country before deciding whether to respond.
The platform added that it will restrict how many new people an account can contact and deploy systems to detect impersonation and abusive activity.
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Telegram and signal also under scanner
The government’s scrutiny hasn’t been limited to just WhatsApp. Along with Meta, the IT ministry has sent notices to both Telegram and Signal, asking for information on how the current username system of their platforms is able to prevent fraud, impersonation and cybercrime.
The government is expected to analyse the response of Meta following the new deadline before deciding on the feature launch in India.
FAQs
Why did the government postpone WhatsApp’s username feature?
The Centre has expressed worries about the ability of the feature to promote cybercrime, phishing, impersonation and digital fraud, and wants to hear a response from Meta before any roll-out.
Has WhatsApp’s username feature been rolled out in India?
Not yet. Meta has assured the government that no such feature will be rolled out in India until consultations have been completed.
