New Delhi — The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered a pause on the deployment of WhatsApp’s new “username” feature across India, requesting a detailed response from Meta Platforms within three days, officials said on Tuesday.
The decision follows concerns raised by the ministry that the feature – which allows users to create a unique identifier separate from their phone number – could affect user privacy, data security and compliance with India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2021. MeitY’s directive asks Meta to clarify how the usernames will be generated, stored and linked to existing user data, and to confirm that the rollout will adhere to the country’s regulatory framework.
“Given the sensitivity of personal data and the potential for misuse, we cannot allow a major functional change to go live without a thorough assessment,” a senior MeitY official, who requested anonymity, told reporters. “Meta has been asked to submit a comprehensive reply by the close of business on Friday.”
Meta has not yet commented publicly on the ministry’s order. In a brief statement to the press, the company’s India spokesperson said the firm “takes all regulatory requirements seriously” and is “engaged with the relevant authorities.”
The username feature, announced globally in late 2025, is intended to let users find contacts without sharing phone numbers, using an alphanumeric handle similar to those on other messaging platforms. It was rolled out in a limited beta in several markets earlier this year but has not been made widely available in India pending final regulatory clearance.
India’s data‑protection framework, still under legislative development, mandates that intermediaries obtain explicit user consent for any new data‑processing activity and ensure that personal information is not exposed to third parties without robust safeguards. Critics have warned that usernames could be harvested for profiling or targeted advertising, especially if linked to Meta’s broader ecosystem of Facebook and Instagram.
Industry analysts note that the halt could delay Meta’s efforts to increase user engagement in a market where WhatsApp holds a dominant share of messaging traffic. “India is critical for Meta’s growth strategy,” said Priya Mehta, a senior analyst at TechInsights. “A three‑day window is tight, but it underscores the government’s assertive stance on tech governance.”
The ministry’s move aligns with recent actions against other tech firms, including fines imposed on social media platforms for non‑compliance with local content‑moderation rules and investigations into data‑localisation requirements.
If Meta fails to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated timeframe, MeitY indicated that further enforcement actions, including possible suspension of the feature or penalties under the IT Act, could be pursued.
Analysis:
The government’s intervention reflects mounting regulatory scrutiny of large technology companies operating in India, particularly around data‑privacy implications of new product features. By demanding a rapid reply, MeitY is signaling that compliance cannot be deferred to later stages of rollout. Meta’s lack of a public statement suggests ongoing negotiations, but the firm’s broader strategic interest in retaining WhatsApp’s market dominance may compel it to address the ministry’s concerns swiftly. The outcome will likely set a precedent for how future feature introductions by global platforms are vetted in India’s evolving digital‑policy landscape.
Sources
– Google News India RSS feed, “Government Halts WhatsApp Username Feature Rollout in India, Seeks Meta Reply Within 3 Days,” Sarkaritel.com, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZ0FVX3lxTE9wZHgzbTB6cHVSMHpKdFo2bks5Qy1GVHAwR3JRSjZTcjNzZGxHY2dUZ2xFQnMwdjlLMnR2MEFyeGs3MzRHSDZkTGFuWHZPSTNxYjJUQnFqQUdPTzBHLTlBVVhOQ1VGOFE?oc=5
Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India — source
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