The IT Secretary, S Krishnanu, stated that the deadline for Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, to respond to the official notification regarding the username feature expires on Thursday.
The IT Secretary, S Krishnanu, stated that the deadline for Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, to respond to the official notification regarding the username feature expires on Thursday.
Last Wednesday, the government sent a notification to Meta expressing concerns about the proposed username feature in WhatsApp. The main concerns related to this feature potentially increasing online fraud, phishing, digital arrest schemes, and identity spoofing attacks.
The essence of the username feature is that platform users will be able to communicate without revealing their phone numbers. The government also demanded that the platform refrain from launching this feature until consultations on the matter are completed to the satisfaction of the government.
Following this, WhatsApp requested additional time to provide its response on the username feature and assured the government that it would not implement it in India until discussions were concluded. Krishnanu reported that this response is expected today during the CII GCC Business Summit.
When asked whether other messengers, such as Telegram and Signal, had provided responses to the notifications they received, Krishnanu noted that there was still some time remaining, so the responses had not yet been received and would be examined.
Last Friday, a team from Meta met with officials from the Ministry of IT after receiving the notification. In this notification, the government required Meta to explain why it should not initiate action under the IT Act and relevant rules concerning the new WhatsApp feature, which could potentially increase cybercrime.
The Ministry also reminded Meta that as a major social media intermediary, the company is obligated to comply with due diligence obligations under the IT Act and rules.
A WhatsApp representative stated last week that the ability to use a username is not yet active and will be gradually rolled out later this year. He added that to protect against impersonation, the most well-known names—including public figures, government bodies, celebrities, and verified Meta accounts—have been preserved so that only legitimate owners can claim them, and similar variations of famous names have also been retained.
The company clarified that users still require a phone number to use WhatsApp and announced that it has implemented multiple layers of anti-fraud protection in the username system. WhatsApp stated that other users will need to know the exact username to contact a person. The company plans to limit the number of new people an account can contact, block repeated attempts to guess the username key, and have systems to detect and remove activity showing common patterns of abuse and impersonation.
Furthermore, WhatsApp will display information about the first sender: whether they are a new account, a contact, a member of a group, or located in another country, before the user decides to reply.
After sending the notification to WhatsApp, the Ministry of IT also sent similar notifications to Telegram and Signal, raising questions about the existing username feature on these platforms and requesting information on how they address issues related to fraud and impersonation risks. Although WhatsApp has 500 million users in India, Telegram's reach is significantly smaller.
It is worth noting that in recent days, Meta and Telegram have also faced regulatory scrutiny on other matters. While the government sent a stern notification to Meta on Saturday regarding child sexual abuse material in Instagram ads, Telegram received a notification demanding action against the 'widespread distribution' of pirated films, OTT content, and other audiovisual material through its platform.
After sending a notification to WhatsApp, the Ministry of Information Technologies also contacted Telegram and Signal regarding their user name features. These communications are related to concerns about fraud, phishing, and risks of impersonation.
According to sources, the Ministry requested an explanation from Telegram as to why the platform should retain the user name feature. Previously, on Wednesday, the Center sent a notification to Meta concerning this same feature in WhatsApp. The reason was concerns that this capability could significantly increase the amount of online fraud, phishing attacks, digital arrest schemes, and attempts at impersonation.
Furthermore, WhatsApp was ordered to suspend the use of this feature until consultations on the matter are completed, which must satisfy the Government. In its notification, the government expressed concern that the proposed feature could 'significantly increase' cases of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest schemes, and identity spoofing attacks, allowing malicious actors to contact victims.
The government has expanded control to other messengers. Sources told PTI that the Ministry of Information Technologies also wrote to Telegram and Signal, which already use this feature, to find out how they address issues related to fraud and impersonation. The Center demanded that Meta explain why it should not initiate actions under the Information Technology Law and regulations regarding the new WhatsApp feature that may contribute to the rise of cybercrime.
The Center reminded Meta that WhatsApp, as a major social networking intermediary, is obligated to comply with due diligence requirements under the Information Technology Law and relevant regulations. In its statement on Wednesday, WhatsApp defended this feature, citing built-in protection mechanisms designed to prevent fraud and impersonation, as well as to ensure user safety.
India is the largest market for WhatsApp, with over 500 million users, giving it a much larger user base compared to Telegram. Over the past month, Telegram has been under close scrutiny by regulators in India due to issues related to fraud, impersonation, and the dissemination of confidential content. The Indian government imposed a ban on Telegram and its associated web services until June 22, citing the platform's inability to stop the spread of leaks and fake NEET examination materials, as well as misleading content and other fraudulent activities related to the country's medical education admissions process. However, the messenger returned to operation in India after the week-long government ban expired.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has issued clarifications regarding its upcoming 'Username' feature to alleviate user concerns about privacy, security, and impersonation, as users have begun reserving these names ahead of a wider launch later this year.
The messenger responded to several frequently asked questions, including the necessity of creating a username, how it will protect against fraud, and whether strangers can contact users using these names. The 'Username' feature is intended to allow users to communicate on WhatsApp without needing to share their phone numbers, especially in group chats and when communicating with new contacts.
The company stated that this feature will be optional, and users will not be required to create a username. Furthermore, WhatsApp explained the reasons for the unavailability of certain names: existing usernames on Instagram and Facebook are reserved for their owners, and the names of public figures, celebrities, government bodies, and Meta Verified accounts are protected to prevent impersonation. The company emphasized: 'We have reserved known names and some variations of them—such as public figures, celebrities, government bodies, and Meta Verified accounts—so that only legitimate owners can claim them.'
Regarding privacy, WhatsApp specified that usernames will not be searchable like phone numbers on the platform. It added that when communication via username becomes available, users will receive information about the first contact, including the sender's country and account details, alongside existing blocking and reporting tools. A 'username key' was also introduced—an additional, optional layer of protection requiring knowledge of both the username and this key to initiate contact. Users will be able to change their usernames later, provided the new name is available. This is described as 'an extra layer of protection you can enable with your username so that another user would need to know both your username and your username key to contact you. You can reset your key at any time to stop new incoming contact through your username.'
WhatsApp also informed that users wishing to use a username matching their Instagram or Facebook account will need to link those accounts to confirm ownership, after which they can unlink them. The company refuted claims that popular or well-known usernames can be claimed by anyone, stating that such names are only available to legitimate owners.
The Central Government directed Meta-owned WhatsApp not to launch the proposed username feature until consultations with the government are complete. The reason cited was concerns that it could provoke fraud, phishing, digital arrest schemes, and financial scams. In the notification, the government demanded that the company provide a detailed explanation of the feature along with supporting documentation within three days.
The notification stated: 'It is considered that the feature may significantly increase the amount of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest schemes, and impersonation attacks, allowing malicious actors to attract and write to victims.' There was also a warning that usernames similar to those of private individuals, government agencies, financial institutions, and governmental bodies could facilitate identity theft. In response, a WhatsApp representative stated: 'We announced the possibility for people to reserve their preferred username on WhatsApp. The ability to use a username is not yet active and will be gradually rolled out later this year.'
The company representative added that it has reserved usernames for 'public figures, government bodies, celebrities, Meta verified accounts' for their legitimate owners and implemented protective mechanisms such as requiring knowledge of the exact username, limiting contact with new users, blocking repeated attempts to guess username keys, and detecting patterns of impersonation and abuse. He also noted that users will still require a phone number to use WhatsApp.
The WhatsApp service has once again become the center of controversy. The custom name feature, which is set to launch in India and several other countries, has drawn a reaction from the Indian government, which sent Meta a notification demanding a response within three days.
The Indian government sent Meta a notification regarding the controversial custom name feature in WhatsApp on Wednesday. Furthermore, it instructed the company not to launch the custom name feature in WhatsApp until the consultation and discussion process on this matter is completed.
The government expressed concerns that the custom name feature could be misused. The possibility of an increase in online fraud and personal data theft due to this feature was voiced. The central government notified Meta that WhatsApp is a Significant Social Media Intermediary (SSMI), and therefore, all necessary precautions established by the Information Technology Act and rules apply to it.
A WhatsApp representative stated that the custom name feature is not yet active and is planned for release by the end of the current year. The company stated that names associated with public figures, government institutions, celebrities, and verified Meta accounts, as well as other similar names, have already been reserved to prevent fake identifiers.
There are various potential threats associated with the custom name feature in WhatsApp. Scammers may use custom names to deceive people by creating names similar to those of companies, banks, government officials, or famous celebrities. Although the company claims that celebrity and public figure names are reserved, the risk remains.
Additionally, an increase in cyber fraud is expected. Scammers will be able to contact people while hiding their phone numbers, leading to a rise in types of fraud such as investment schemes, phishing, and employment scams. It will also become more difficult to establish true identity since only a custom name will be used instead of displaying a phone number that allows user identification.
The difficulty in identifying users will increase, making it harder to trust strangers. Previously, when fraud occurred via WhatsApp, the phone number was visible, which simplified identification. Now, communication based on custom names may create difficulties for investigative agencies when tracking down offenders. Moreover, there is a risk of brand and business impersonation, where scammers use names similar to major brands, which can harm both the company itself and its customers.
