Meta-owned WhatsApp has submitted its response to the Centre’s notice over its proposed username feature, which would allow users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers, news agency PTI reported citing sources.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is examining WhatsApp’s reply after raising concerns that the feature could increase online fraud, phishing, digital-arrest scams and impersonation attacks. The messaging platform has assured the government that it will not launch the feature in India until consultations are completed.

Centre Examines WhatsApp Response To Notice

The government issued a notice to Meta last Wednesday, seeking an explanation over potential cybersecurity risks associated with WhatsApp’s proposed username feature.

The Centre directed WhatsApp not to roll out the feature until consultations on the matter were completed “to the satisfaction of the government.”

WhatsApp subsequently sought additional time to respond and assured the government that the feature would not be introduced in India while discussions remained underway.

Sources told PTI that MeitY has now received the company’s reply and is examining its response.

WhatsApp has not issued an official statement on the submission made to the IT ministry on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, IT Secretary S Krishnan, speaking on the sidelines of the CII GCC Business Summit, said WhatsApp’s response to the government notice was due on Thursday.

Telegram And Signal Yet To Respond To Government Notices

Responding to a question about similar notices issued to Telegram and Signal over their username features, Krishnan said the government had not yet received their responses.

“There is still a little more time, so the replies have not yet been received…. We will examine this issue,” Krishnan said.

A Meta team met IT ministry officials last Friday after the government summoned the company for discussions over the proposed WhatsApp feature.

In its notice, the Centre asked Meta to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and relevant rules over concerns that the username feature could increase cybercrime.

The government also reminded Meta that WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, is required to comply with due diligence obligations under the IT Act and its rules.

WhatsApp Says Username Feature Will Have Anti-Scam Safeguards

Last week, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the username feature was not yet available and would be rolled out gradually later this year.

WhatsApp said it had reserved high-profile usernames, including those belonging to public figures, government entities, celebrities and verified Meta accounts, to ensure that only legitimate owners could claim them.

The company has also blocked lookalike variations of well-known names to reduce the risk of impersonation.

WhatsApp said users would continue to require a phone number to create and operate an account even after the username feature is introduced.

According to the company, several layers of protection have been developed to prevent scams and abuse involving usernames.

Users Will Need Exact Username To Send Messages

WhatsApp said users would need to know another person’s exact username before they could send them a message.

The platform plans to limit the number of new people an account can contact and block repeated attempts to guess usernames.

WhatsApp said it would also use systems designed to detect and remove impersonation attempts and patterns of abuse.

The company plans to provide additional information when users receive their first message from someone through a username.

Users will be able to see whether the sender is using a new account, is an existing contact, belongs to a mutual group or is based in another country before deciding whether to respond.

Meta And Telegram Face Separate Regulatory Scrutiny

Following the notice to WhatsApp, the IT ministry also sought information from Telegram and Signal about how their existing username features address risks involving fraud and impersonation.

WhatsApp has around 50 crore users in India, while Telegram’s user base in the country is significantly smaller.

Meta and Telegram have also faced separate regulatory scrutiny from the government in recent days.

On Saturday, the Centre issued a notice to Meta over child sexual abuse material appearing in Instagram advertisements.

Telegram, meanwhile, received a government notice directing the platform to curb the widespread distribution of pirated films, OTT content and other audio-visual material.

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