The Centre has received WhatsApp's response to its notice over the controversial 'username' feature and is currently examining the submission, according to sources. The reply was received on Thursday night after the government sought an explanation over concerns that the feature could increase online fraud, phishing, impersonation and so-called digital arrest scams. The scrutiny comes as the government has directed the Meta-owned platform not to roll out the feature in India until consultations are completed to its satisfaction. The IT Ministry had issued the notice to WhatsApp last Wednesday, questioning its proposed username feature, which would allow users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers.
After receiving the notice, WhatsApp sought additional time to submit its response and assured the government that the feature would not be launched in India until consultations conclude. The feature would allow users to connect through usernames instead of mobile numbers. WhatsApp's reply was received on Thursday night and is currently being examined by the government. IT Secretary S Krishnan confirmed on Thursday (July 9, 2026) that "there is still a little more time, so the replies have not yet been received...we will examine this issue." A Meta delegation met officials in the information and broadcasting ministry last Friday following the notice. As per PTI sources, there was no official statement from WhatsApp on Thursday regarding the submission.
Speaking at the CII GCC Business Summit on Thursday, IT Secretary S Krishnan said WhatsApp's reply was expected that same day and confirmed that similar notices had been sent to Telegram and Signal about their own username features, but neither platform had replied yet. He added that the ministry would look at the bigger picture once those replies come in too. The IT Ministry had issued the notice to WhatsApp last Wednesday, questioning the Meta-owned platform's proposed username feature. The notice also directed WhatsApp not to introduce the feature in India until discussions with the government are concluded and asked Meta to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and relevant rules.
WhatsApp has outlined comprehensive safety measures to address government concerns about the username feature. The company has reserved usernames linked to public figures, government bodies, celebrities and verified Meta accounts, ensuring only legitimate owners can claim them. WhatsApp has also blocked similar-looking fake versions of these names and implemented additional security features. Knowing someone's display name will not be enough to message them for the first time, requiring users to know the exact username. The platform will also include limits on how many new people someone can message, blocks on repeated attempts to guess usernames, and automatic systems to spot suspicious behaviour. Additionally, WhatsApp plans to show users extra details before they reply to a new username, such as whether the sender is already a saved contact, shares a group with them, has a newly made account, or seems to be messaging from another country. A WhatsApp spokesperson confirmed that users would still need a phone number to create and use a WhatsApp account, adding that several safeguards had been built into the feature to prevent abuse.
Following its notice to WhatsApp, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) also issued notices to Telegram and Signal, seeking details on how their existing username-based systems address risks related to fraud and impersonation. WhatsApp has about 500 million users in India, while Telegram's reach is a fraction of that. Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan stated that when asked whether Telegram and Signal had replied to similar notices, he said there is still a little more time, so the replies have not yet been received. The government has also issued notices to Arattai which has had username features that allow phone number concealment for quite some time already. These safety steps are expected to be a key part of what the government checks going forward, as the outcome matters significantly because India is WhatsApp's biggest market with around 500 million users. The scrutiny of messaging platforms comes amid broader regulatory action against major technology companies, with the government also issuing notices to Meta over child sexual abuse material appearing in Instagram advertisements and directing Telegram to curb the widespread dissemination of pirated films and OTT content.
