Government Extends Deadline for WhatsApp on Username Feature Notice

The Indian government has granted WhatsApp an additional three days to respond to a notice concerning its upcoming username feature, sources confirmed on Wednesday. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had earlier sought clarifications from the messaging platform on how the feature would comply with India's Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, has been developing a username-based identification system as an alternative to phone numbers. The feature, currently in testing, is expected to launch later this year. However, the government has raised concerns about potential misuse, including the ease of anonymous communication that could bypass existing traceability requirements.

Under the IT Rules, social media platforms must enable the identification of the first originator of information in certain cases, particularly for messages deemed unlawful. The government's notice seeks to understand how WhatsApp's username feature, which may allow users to interact without sharing phone numbers, will comply with this mandate.

Initially, the platform was given a deadline of Tuesday, but has now been granted an extension until Friday to submit its reply. Sources familiar with the matter said the extension was a routine procedural step to allow for a comprehensive response.

WhatsApp, in a statement, reiterated that the feature is still under development and will be introduced later this year. The company has not commented on the notice directly but has previously stated its commitment to complying with Indian laws while maintaining end-to-end encryption.

The development comes amid ongoing tensions between the Indian government and social media firms over regulatory compliance. In the past, WhatsApp has challenged the government's traceability requirement in court, arguing that it would break encryption and compromise user privacy.

Legal experts say the government's scrutiny of the username feature is in line with its broader push for accountability. 'The government wants to ensure that no new feature creates a loophole in the current regulatory framework,' said Ananya Sharma, a technology law analyst.

The final decision on the username feature's rollout in India will likely depend on the outcome of this regulatory engagement. WhatsApp has over 500 million users in India, making it one of the platform's largest markets.