The Indian government is currently evaluating a response from WhatsApp regarding its controversial 'username' feature,which the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had previously ordered to halt. tech giant submitted its written reply late Thursday evening,July 9,2026, after the government issued notice demanding suspension of the feature.
Concerns raised by the Ministry center around the potential for increased online fraud,phishing,and impersonation attacks, stemming from ability to hide phone numbers while displaying only usernames . The government has emphasized that this could pose significant risks to users' security and privacy.
On July 1, the Centre formally instructed WhatsApp to refrain from rolling out the feature until thorough consultations could be conducted. The original deadline for WhatsApp to respond was July 4, but the company requested an extension,assuring officials that it would not proceed with the launch in India until the discussions concluded satisfactorily.
WhatsApp,which boasts an estimated user base of over 80 crore in India, is classified as a “significant social media intermediary” under the Information Technology Act,2000. This designation subjects the platform to specific due diligence and compliance obligations as outlined in the Information Technology Rules,2021.
It remains uncertain whether government possesses the authority to veto features on privately operated app like WhatsApp. The Ministry's notice highlighted the platform's intermediary status, which is defined by its large user base,exceeding 50 lakh registered users in India.
In addition to WhatsApp,the IT Ministry has also sent similar notices to other messaging platforms like Telegram, Signal, and Arattai, which have implemented username features that allow users to conceal their phone numbers. However, responses from these platforms are still pending. IT Secretary S. Krishnan indicated on July 9 that there is still time for these companies to reply,and the Ministry will review their responses once received.
The ongoing discussions reflect broader concerns about user safety in digital age, as the government seeks to balance innovation in technology with the need for robust protections against online threats. As the Ministry reviews WhatsApp's response, implications for the future of user privacy on social media platforms in India remain significant.
