The IT Ministry issued a notice to WhatsApp on July 1, 2026 and told it to pause its planned username feature in India until consultations are completed “to the satisfaction of the Government.”
WhatsApp submitted its reply on July 9, after the deadline was extended, and assured the government it will not launch the feature in India until discussions end, The Week and Inc42 reported. Details are based on The Week and Inc42.
Timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | MeitY issues notice |
| Early July | WhatsApp meets officials, asks for more time |
| July 9 | WhatsApp submits reply |
| After July 9 | MeitY examining replies |
Why the government is concerned
Usernames would let people message each other without sharing phone numbers. The ministry said this could increase online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation. Telegram and Signal also received notices about their username features.
WhatsApp says the feature is not live and would roll out gradually. It said users would still need a phone number to use WhatsApp, senders must know the exact username, and high-profile names would be reserved. We found no later decision from the ministry.
Why it matters for mobile shops
Nothing changes on customers’ phones yet. If someone asks about usernames, say the feature is on hold in India. Be wary of anyone offering to set one up, as scammers often use a new feature as a cover story.
