WhatsApp notice triggers wider regulation debate

The ministry of electronics and information technology’s (MeitY) decision to ask WhatsApp to pause the India rollout of its usernames feature has triggered a wider debate over how far the government can regulate new digital products before they are launched, with experts divided over whether the move is a legitimate exercise of statutory powers or a step towards executive pre-approval of product features.

Cyber law expert Pavan Duggal backed the government’s intervention, saying MeitY was well within its powers under the Information Technology Act to seek an explanation from intermediaries. “The government has the power under the IT Act to issue directions to intermediaries and ensure they exercise due diligence.