WhatsApp submits reply to MeitY notice on username feature amid fraud concerns
Synopsis
India's IT Ministry is now examining WhatsApp's formal response to a government notice that flagged the proposed username feature as a potential fraud and impersonation risk. With Telegram and Signal also served similar notices, MeitY's verdict could set the regulatory template for anonymised messaging in India.
Key Takeaways
WhatsApp has reportedly submitted its response to a MeitY notice on its proposed username feature , as of 10 July .
The ministry had directed WhatsApp not to launch the feature in India until consultations were completed, citing risks of fraud, phishing, and impersonation.
Krishnan confirmed the government will take a view after examining WhatsApp's submission.
Similar notices have been issued to Telegram and Signal over their username features; their responses are still pending.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had separately directed officials to summon Meta over alleged child sexual abuse material in Instagram ads.
Meta-owned WhatsApp has reportedly submitted its response to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notice regarding its proposed username feature, with the government currently examining the company's submissions, sources familiar with the matter said on 10 July. The development comes after the Centre directed WhatsApp not to launch the feature in India until consultations were completed to its satisfaction.
What the Government's Notice Said
MeitY issued the notice to WhatsApp last week, citing concerns that the username feature could potentially fuel online fraud, phishing attacks, digital-arrest scams, and impersonation incidents. The proposed feature would allow users to connect and communicate on WhatsApp without sharing their mobile phone numbers — offering added privacy but, according to the government, creating new avenues for misuse.
WhatsApp's Response and Assurances
Following the notice, WhatsApp sought additional time to file its reply and assured the Centre it would not roll out the feature in India until discussions with authorities were concluded. Sources indicate MeitY has now received the company's submission and is in the process of reviewing it. However, as of the time of reporting, WhatsApp had not issued any official public statement on the response submitted to the ministry.
What IT Secretary S. Krishnan Said
Speaking on the sidelines of the CII GCC Business Summit in New Delhi, IT Secretary S. Krishnan said earlier in the week that WhatsApp's reply was due on Thursday. He confirmed the government would take a view based on the company's response. 'We will await the formal response to the notice that we have issued, and thereafter we will take a view based on what the response is,' Krishnan said.
Krishnan also disclosed that similar notices had been sent to Telegram and Signal over their own username features, and that those platforms still had time remaining to submit their replies. The government indicated it would examine the matter after receiving all responses.
Broader Context: MeitY's Scrutiny of Big Tech
This is not the first time WhatsApp's parent company Meta has faced regulatory scrutiny from Indian authorities in recent weeks. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had separately directed ministry officials to summon Meta and seek an explanation over the alleged presence of child sexual abuse material in advertisements on Instagram. Notably, this wave of regulatory action reflects a broader pattern of the Centre tightening its oversight of major social media and messaging platforms operating in India.
The username feature episode underscores the tension between privacy-enhancing tools and law enforcement concerns — a debate that regulators globally are grappling with. With Telegram and Signal also in MeitY's crosshairs over similar features, the government's stance could set a significant precedent for how anonymised communication tools are regulated in India.
What Happens Next
MeitY is expected to conclude its examination of WhatsApp's submission before deciding whether to permit, restrict, or conditionally allow the username feature's rollout in India. The responses from Telegram and Signal are also pending, and the government has indicated a comprehensive review will follow once all replies are in hand.
Point of View
Telegram, and Signal over username features signals a decisive shift: India is no longer willing to let privacy-enhancing tools launch without a fraud-risk audit. The irony is sharp — the username feature was designed to protect user privacy by removing the need to share phone numbers, yet the government's primary concern is that it creates cover for scammers. The real question MeitY must answer is whether it can craft a regulatory framework that addresses fraud without gutting the privacy gains. A blanket block would be a blunt instrument; what India needs is a conditional clearance model with enforceable abuse-reporting obligations. The scrutiny of Meta over Instagram's ad content in the same period suggests the Centre is consolidating its leverage over Big Tech — and WhatsApp's username feature may be the first test case of that new posture.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WhatsApp username feature that MeitY flagged?
The proposed WhatsApp username feature would allow users to connect and chat without sharing their mobile phone numbers, offering an additional layer of privacy. MeitY flagged it as a potential risk for online fraud, phishing, digital-arrest scams, and impersonation attacks.
Why did MeitY issue a notice to WhatsApp over the username feature?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued the notice because it was concerned the feature could be exploited by bad actors to conduct fraud and impersonation without being traceable via phone numbers. The government directed WhatsApp not to launch the feature in India until consultations were completed.
Has WhatsApp officially commented on its response to MeitY?
No. As of 10 July, WhatsApp had not issued any official public statement on the response it reportedly submitted to the ministry. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed MeitY received the submission and is examining it.
Are Telegram and Signal also facing similar government notices?
Yes. IT Secretary S. Krishnan confirmed that similar notices were issued to Telegram and Signal over their username features. Both platforms still had time remaining to submit their replies as of 10 July, and the government said it would review the issue after receiving all responses.
What happens next after WhatsApp's response is examined?
MeitY will review WhatsApp's submissions and, once responses from Telegram and Signal are also received, take a collective view on whether to permit, restrict, or conditionally allow the username feature in India. No timeline for a final decision has been officially stated.
