Messaging giant WhatsApp has formally submitted its response to the Indian government concerning the controversial 'username' feature. Sources close to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) confirmed that the ministry is currently examining the reply received on Thursday.
The Centre had previously expressed significant apprehension that the introduction of a username feature could substantially escalate incidents of online fraud, phishing attacks, digital-arrest scams, and impersonation attempts across the platform. This concern prompted the government to issue a notice to Meta-owned WhatsApp, urging them not to roll out the feature in India until comprehensive consultations were concluded to the government's satisfaction.
Government's Stance and Timeline
MeitY had initially granted WhatsApp a four-day extension to file its response after a meeting with officials on July 2. The deadline for submission ended on Thursday, with the company fulfilling its obligation. An official confirmed the receipt of the response without detailing its contents.
Earlier, IT Secretary S Krishnan had indicated that WhatsApp's reply was anticipated on Thursday. The government's notice, issued on July 1, specifically asked Meta to explain why action should not be initiated under the IT Act and rules, citing the potential for increased cybercrime due to the feature. It also reminded WhatsApp of its due-diligence obligations as a significant social media intermediary.
Broader Regulatory Scrutiny
The regulatory scrutiny is not limited to WhatsApp. MeitY extended similar notices to rival messaging platforms Telegram and Signal on July 3, expressing analogous concerns about their username features. The ministry sought explanations regarding the safeguards integrated into these platforms' username functionalities to mitigate risks such as impersonation, identity theft, and digital fraud.
Media reports suggest that Telegram may have also submitted its response, though official confirmation is pending. When asked about Telegram and Signal, Secretary Krishnan noted that those platforms still had some time remaining for their replies. WhatsApp had previously assured the government it would not launch the feature in India until discussions were complete.
Impact of the Username Feature
The proposed username feature would enable users to communicate on WhatsApp without the necessity of sharing their personal phone numbers, a significant shift from its current operational model. With an estimated 50 crore users in India, WhatsApp's decisions have substantial implications for digital safety and privacy in the country.