iWorld
MeitY extends Meta deadline on Whatsapp username feature to July 9
Ministry seeks detailed reply on fraud, impersonation and user safety concerns
NEW DELHI: A username may be just a few characters long, but for regulators, it can open a much bigger conversation. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has granted Meta an additional three days to respond to concerns surrounding Whatsapp’s proposed username feature, extending the deadline to 9 July as the government steps up scrutiny of identity-related features on messaging platforms.
According to a government official quoted by the Hindustan Times, the extension comes after MeitY sought a more comprehensive response from the company on potential risks linked to the feature, particularly around impersonation, fraud and user safety.
The ministry had originally asked Whatsapp to respond by 6 July after officials raised concerns that usernames, if not backed by adequate safeguards, could be exploited by bad actors and weaken the trust associated with the platform’s existing phone number-based identity system.
The review is not limited to Whatsapp. Earlier this week, MeitY also issued notices to Telegram and Signal, seeking details on their username systems and the safeguards in place to prevent misuse, identity fraud and impersonation.
Officials are examining several aspects of Whatsapp’s proposed rollout, including restrictions on username creation, identity verification mechanisms and the reporting tools available to users in cases of abuse or impersonation. The ministry is also assessing whether the feature aligns with existing legal and regulatory requirements in India.
The scrutiny forms part of a wider government review of emerging identity features on digital communication platforms. As messaging apps increasingly move beyond phone numbers to alternative identifiers, regulators are seeking assurances that new systems do not create fresh avenues for scams, fake identities or online fraud.
According to officials, the additional three-day extension has been provided to allow Meta sufficient time to submit a detailed response addressing concerns around user protection, content moderation and compliance with Indian laws.
The development underscores the government’s growing focus on digital safety as messaging platforms continue to introduce new features, with regulators signalling that innovation will increasingly be measured alongside accountability and user trust.
