WhatsApp and Telegram submitted their responses to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Thursday regarding the upcoming username feature on their platforms, according to livemint.com. This follows a notice issued by the Indian government last week to Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, raising concerns about potential risks such as online fraud and phishing linked to the new feature.
The responses from both messaging platforms are currently under examination by MeitY. The government had flagged that the introduction of usernames could increase incidents of digital harassment and fraud, prompting the ministry to seek clarifications. WhatsApp and Telegram addressed these concerns in their submissions, outlining their approach to implementing the username feature while aiming to mitigate associated risks.
The scrutiny of this feature highlights the growing regulatory focus on digital platforms in India, especially concerning user safety and data security. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Telegram have millions of users in India, making regulatory compliance critical. The government’s intervention reflects broader efforts to curb online fraud and protect users from phishing attacks, aligning with similar regulatory actions seen globally.
MeitY’s review of the responses will determine the next steps for the rollout of the username feature on these platforms. The ministry’s examination process is ongoing as of July 10, 2026, with no final decision announced yet, according to livemint.com.