WhatsApp defends username feature as govt reviews cybersecurity response
Messaging platform submits its reply to the Centre's notice, while officials assess whether the proposed feature adequately addresses concerns over online fraud, impersonation and cybercrime
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Published: Jul 10, 2026 1:23 PM | 2 min read
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- The Indian government is reviewing WhatsApp's defense of its proposed username feature, which the company claims is designed with cybersecurity in mind.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a notice to WhatsApp, requesting an explanation to avoid potential action under the Information Technology Act.
- The government has instructed WhatsApp not to implement the username feature until satisfactory consultations are completed, citing concerns over increased risks of online fraud and phishing.
- The proposed feature aims to enhance user privacy by allowing connections through usernames instead of phone numbers, but officials warn it may also facilitate anonymity-related scams.
The Centre is examining WhatsApp's response to its notice over the messaging platform's proposed username feature, with sources confirming that the company has defended the rollout on cybersecurity grounds even as the government continues to assess the potential risks associated with the change.
The response follows the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's notice issued last week, which asked Meta-owned WhatsApp to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and its accompanying rules. The government had also directed the company not to introduce the feature until consultations were completed to its satisfaction.
According to sources, WhatsApp has argued that the username system has been designed with cybersecurity considerations in mind. Officials are now reviewing the company's submissions before deciding the next course of action.
The proposed feature would allow users to connect through unique usernames instead of sharing their mobile numbers, marking one of the platform's most significant identity changes in recent years. While the move is expected to strengthen user privacy by reducing the need to disclose personal phone numbers, the government has raised concerns that it could also make it easier for fraudsters to exploit anonymity.
In its notice, the Centre warned that the feature could materially increase phishing attempts, impersonation, digital arrest scams and other forms of online fraud. It also reminded WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, of its due diligence obligations under India's IT framework, underscoring that user privacy enhancements must be balanced against broader cybersecurity and public safety considerations.
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