Guwahati, July 16 -- The Centre is weighing legal action, including possible sanctions, against WhatsApp and Telegram as it reviews their responses to government notices over the proposed introduction of username-based accounts, sources said.

According to sources, the government is examining the replies submitted by the two messaging platforms to determine whether any legal provisions can be invoked. A formal decision is expected after the review process is completed.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had earlier issued a notice to Meta, seeking a detailed explanation of WhatsApp's planned username feature. The ministry also asked the company to defer its rollout in India until consultations with the governm...