The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is yet to receive Meta’s formal response to WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, even as the extended deadline for the company to submit its reply ended on Wednesday, according to government sources.
The Centre had earlier granted Meta an additional three days after the company requested more time to respond to the notice issued over the planned feature. During discussions with government officials, Meta had assured that the username-based messaging feature would not be introduced in India until consultations with the ministry were completed.
The government is now awaiting the company’s official submission before deciding on the next course of action.
MeitY issued a notice to Meta seeking clarity on the safeguards accompanying WhatsApp usernames, a feature designed to let users connect without sharing their phone numbers.
Officials expressed concerns that the change could make it easier for fraudsters and cybercriminals to impersonate users, create fake identities, and carry out phishing attacks while concealing their real identities. The ministry asked Meta to explain how the platform intends to verify users, prevent misuse, and ensure effective grievance redressal.
The proposed feature is expected to function similarly to usernames already available on several social media and messaging platforms.
Following the government’s notice, Meta representatives met MeitY officials to discuss the concerns. The company reportedly assured the ministry that the feature would not be rolled out in India until regulatory consultations were concluded.
The extension granted by the government was intended to give Meta additional time to provide a detailed response addressing the ministry’s concerns about user safety, identity verification, and law enforcement access in cybercrime cases.
As of the deadline, officials said the ministry had not received the company’s formal reply.
Also Read: WhatsApp Gets Deadline Extension From Indian Government on Username Feature
The government’s scrutiny extends beyond WhatsApp. MeitY has also sought explanations from Telegram and Signal, both of which already support username-based communication.
Officials are examining whether such features could complicate efforts to trace cybercriminals and investigate online fraud. The review forms part of the Centre’s broader push to strengthen digital safety while balancing user privacy and innovation. The ministry is expected to examine Meta’s response once it is submitted before taking a final view on the rollout of WhatsApp usernames in India.