Meta-owned WhatsApp on Thursday submitted its response to the Indian government's notice concerning its proposed "username" feature, which is currently under examination, according to sources. The government had set July 9 as the deadline for Meta to submit its reply.
Government Notice and Concerns
The Centre issued a notice to Meta last Wednesday over the planned rollout of the username feature on WhatsApp in India. The government directed the company not to launch the feature until consultations on the matter were completed, citing concerns that it could materially increase incidents of online fraud, phishing, digital-arrest scams, and impersonation attacks.
The username feature is designed to allow users to communicate on the messaging platform without revealing their phone numbers. The Centre instructed WhatsApp not to introduce the feature until consultations were concluded to the government's satisfaction.
WhatsApp's Response and Assurance
Subsequently, the messaging platform sought additional time to submit its response and assured the government that it would not roll out the feature in India until the consultations were finalized. In its notice, the government asked Meta to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and related rules over WhatsApp's proposed feature, which it believes may lead to an increase in cybercrime incidents.
The Centre also reminded Meta that WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, is bound by due-diligence obligations under the IT Act and the rules framed thereunder.
Impact and Next Steps
The government is now examining WhatsApp's response. The outcome of this consultation could set a precedent for how new features are rolled out by major social media platforms in India, especially those that could impact user privacy and security. The government's stance underscores its commitment to curbing cybercrime and ensuring that digital platforms adhere to regulatory frameworks.
