NewsBite analysis · Business, Regulation, Security
The Economic Times
WhatsApp username feature: WhatsApp username row: Meta gets time till July 9 to reply to notice
Meta has been given until July 9 to respond to the Indian government's concerns about the introduction of WhatsApp's username feature, which allows chats without sharing phone numbers. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a notice halting the rollout pending a risk assessment, emphasizing the potential for impersonation and other security risks. Meta has assured the government that it will not launch the feature until these concerns are addressed, highlighting built-in safeguards to mitigate abuse.
MonitorConfidence: HighShort term horizonCybersecurity risk: High
Published 7 Jul 2026, 02:30 UTC3 min read
Visit original article ↗Lead image — The Economic Times
Summary
TL;DR
- WhatsApp introduced a username feature to allow chats without phone numbers.
- Indian government paused feature rollout due to security concerns.
- Meta has until July 9 to respond to the government's notice.
- Concerns raised about potential impersonation and scams.
- Meta promises to address regulatory concerns before proceeding.
Interesting facts
- The username feature was globally announced on June 29.
- Meta has sought to reassure the Indian government by detailing safety measures.
Coverage gaps