Govt. receives WhatsApp’s reply on notice over ‘username’ feature
The Indian government is reviewing Meta's response regarding a proposed WhatsApp 'username' feature that hides phone numbers. Officials are concerned that the feature could facilitate online fraud and impersonation, leading to regulatory scrutiny of major social media intermediaries.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between global tech platforms and national governments regarding user privacy, security, and regulatory compliance.
Meta-owned WhatsApp submitted its written response on its ‘username’ feature to the IT ministry late Thursday evening (July 9, 2026), a senior official said.
The report balances the government's regulatory concerns with the company's procedural response.
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