Meta representatives meet India’s IT Ministry regarding WhatsApp’s planned username feature, following a government instruction to halt the rollout. Multiple reports say the meeting takes place after the Centre asks WhatsApp to pause the feature’s rollout and submit an explanation of how it intends to address concerns raised about whether usernames could increase the risk of online fraud.
According to the reports, the Ministry directs WhatsApp to keep the rollout on hold while consultations continue, and says the response should be provided within a defined timeframe. Mint reports that WhatsApp has been asked to file its response within three days after the meeting, tying the deadline to the government’s request for clarifications.
The coverage also indicates the dispute centers on the potential misuse of usernames for fraudulent activity and the safeguards Meta plans to implement. The government has not indicated approval or a final decision in the reports, and the matter is described as ongoing, with the outcome dependent on the consultations.
