MeitY issues notice to WhatsApp over usernames feature, prohibits India roll-out until consultation concludes

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed WhatsApp not to roll out its upcoming usernames feature in India, issuing a notice to the Meta-owned messaging platform over concerns that the feature could increase cybercrime . The Ministry said it had taken note of WhatsApp’s announcement of a phased global rollout, including India, and questioned why regulatory action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and th