The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has extended Meta's deadline for its response on the WhatsApp username issue by another three days. A government official told HT on Sunday that the new deadline is now July 9.
WhatsApp introduced a username feature that would allow messaging on the platform without sharing one's phone number. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Earlier this week, ministry officials gave WhatsApp till July 6 to respond to the username feature on the messaging platform.
According to people familiar with the matter, this notice to Meta was issued after the government called for a detailed explanation regarding the feature.
WhatsApp introduced a username feature that would allow messaging on the platform without sharing one's phone number.
Meta further stated that the username is different from a display name, which appears on a user's profile.
While display names do not have to be unique, usernames will be unique to each account.
“The larger issue is that it will become difficult for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to determine whether the perpetrator is in India or overseas. Tomorrow, someone could create a WhatsApp account using a +1 (US) number, use the NIA chief’s photograph, adopt a similar username and make fraudulent calls. Earlier, if the number began with +91, we could at least initiate action. If the number isn’t available, there is virtually no way to resolve it,” the official said on the condition of anonymity.
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.
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Home/India News/Govt extends deadline for WhatsApp to respond to username issue to July 9
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