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5 July 2026

Government notice on WhatsApp usernames

The topic involves the application of the IT Rules 2021 and the IT Act 2000 regarding the regulation of Significant Social Media Intermediaries, which is a core governance and cybersecurity issue frequently tested in the UPSC Mains.

1 min read Day 3 of 5 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • MeitY issued a notice to Meta regarding the upcoming WhatsApp username feature, citing risks of online fraud, phishing, and impersonation.
  • The feature allows users to chat without sharing phone numbers; it is optional and requires a PIN for added security.
  • WhatsApp has stated it will reserve usernames for public figures and government entities to prevent identity spoofing.
  • The government classifies WhatsApp as a 'Significant Social Media Intermediary' (SSMI) under the IT Rules, 2021, due to its user base exceeding 50 lakh in India.
  • The government notice invokes Sections 66C (identity theft), 66D (cheating by personation), and 79 (intermediary liability) of the IT Act, 2000.
  • Digital rights advocacy groups argue that the IT Act does not grant the government authority to approve or veto specific product features before release.
  • Section 79 of the IT Act provides 'safe harbour' protection to intermediaries, contingent on their adherence to due diligence requirements.

Part of a longer story

This is day 3 of 5 in Government regulation of messaging platform features, which has been running since 2 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Examine the scope and limitations of the 'safe harbour' protection provided to social media intermediaries under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, in the context of emerging digital security challenges. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The rapid evolution of digital communication features necessitates a balance between user privacy and the state's mandate to prevent cybercrimes. Discuss the regulatory challenges faced by the government in overseeing Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) while ensuring the protection of individual digital rights. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, what is the threshold for a platform to be classified as a 'Significant Social Media Intermediary' in India?

  2. Which section of the Information Technology Act, 2000, provides 'safe harbour' protection to intermediaries?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-05/government-notice-on-whatsapp-usernames