Meta has received three additional days to address government concerns regarding WhatsApp’s plan to let users chat without sharing phone numbers. The extension follows the company’s request for time until July 9, citing the global scope of the rollout. WhatsApp introduced the username option last week and began early reservations worldwide on June 29. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology later issued a notice requiring Meta to pause the feature’s launch in India until a risk assessment is completed and a response is submitted. Officials have indicated that legal measures to restrict usernames may be considered. During a meeting last week, ministry staff highlighted risks of large-scale impersonation. WhatsApp has assured authorities it will not proceed in India until concerns are resolved and noted existing protections such as locked high-profile names and limits on new chats. The ministry has also asked Meta to explain Instagram advertisements linked to child sexual abuse material.
