WhatsApp has assured the Indian government it will not roll out its proposed username feature in the country until ongoing consultations with authorities are concluded, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Meta-owned platform has also been granted an additional three days to respond to a formal government notice seeking clarification on the feature, after the original deadline lapsed on Friday, 4 July.

What the Username Feature Proposes

WhatsApp's proposed username option would allow users to communicate on the platform without sharing their personal phone numbers. The company had been preparing for a wider rollout of the feature later this year, positioning it as a privacy-enhancing tool that reduces exposure of personal contact details.

Why the Government Raised Concerns

The Central government issued a formal notice last week expressing concerns that the username feature could heighten risks of online fraud, phishing, and impersonation. Authorities asked WhatsApp to defer the rollout pending consultations on security and consumer-protection implications. A Meta delegation subsequently met officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Friday to discuss the matter.

WhatsApp's Safeguards and Public Response

WhatsApp has maintained that several safeguards have been built into the username feature to prevent impersonation, scams, and unwanted contact. The platform addressed a series of user queries on X after concerns were raised — including by the government — reiterating that users will not be required to create a username. The company also stated that existing Instagram and Facebook usernames, along with those of public figures, celebrities, government entities, and Meta Verified accounts, have been reserved so they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners.

What Happens Next

With the extended deadline now in place, WhatsApp is expected to submit a detailed response to the government notice within the additional three-day window. The feature's India rollout remains on hold until those consultations are formally completed. This episode marks a notable instance of the Indian government intervening pre-emptively to pause a major platform feature before launch — a signal of MeitY's increasingly assertive posture on consumer digital safety. Notably, this comes amid broader regulatory scrutiny of Big Tech platforms operating in India, where the government has been tightening oversight under the Information Technology Act and proposed digital rules.