WhatsApp Gets Extension To Explain Username Feature, Delays India Rollout

Meta-owned WhatsApp has been granted additional time by the Centre to submit its response regarding the proposed username feature , while assuring the government that it will not roll out the feature in India until consultations on the matter are completed, according to sources.

The messaging platform has been given three more days to file its reply after seeking an extension from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The original deadline for submission had expired on Friday.

The proposed feature would allow users to communicate through usernames instead of sharing their mobile phone numbers. However, the government has expressed concerns that the change could potentially lead to an increase in online fraud, phishing attacks, impersonation attempts, and digital arrest scams .

Last week, the Centre issued a notice to Meta questioning the planned rollout and directed WhatsApp to keep the feature on hold until consultations are completed to the government's satisfaction. The notice also asked the company to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and related rules , citing concerns over possible cybercrime risks.

Sources said a Meta delegation met officials of the IT Ministry on Friday following the notice. The government also reminded WhatsApp that, as a Significant Social Media Intermediary (SSMI) , it is required to comply with due diligence obligations under Indian regulations.

Responding to the concerns earlier, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the username feature is not yet live and will be rolled out gradually later this year. The company emphasised that users will still require a phone number to create and use a WhatsApp account.

WhatsApp said it has built several safeguards to prevent misuse. Usernames associated with public figures, government entities, celebrities and verified Meta accounts have been reserved so they can only be claimed by legitimate owners. Lookalike versions of such names are also being restricted.

The company further stated that users would need to know the exact username before contacting someone. Additional protections include limits on how many new people an account can message, restrictions on repeated attempts to guess usernames, and systems designed to detect and remove suspicious impersonation or abuse patterns.

To improve transparency, WhatsApp plans to display contextual information when users receive a first-time message through a username. The platform will indicate whether the sender is a new account, an existing contact, a mutual group member, or located in another country , allowing users to make informed decisions before responding.

The scrutiny has also widened beyond WhatsApp. Following its notice to Meta, the IT Ministry issued notices to Telegram and Signal , seeking details on how their existing username-based systems address fraud and impersonation concerns.

Separately, Meta and Telegram have faced additional regulatory scrutiny. The government recently issued a notice to Meta regarding alleged child sexual abuse material appearing in Instagram advertisements, while Telegram was directed to take stronger action against the widespread sharing of pirated films, OTT content and other audio-visual material on its platform.