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MeitY is reviewing responses from WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal over username-based identities as it considers a common framework for messaging apps. The government is assessing whether existing IT laws are enough to regulate such features amid concerns over fraud, phishing and impersonation risks from phone-number-free communication.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is reviewing responses from WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal as it explores a uniform framework for username-based identities across messaging platforms operating in India. Officials are examining whether existing legal provisions are sufficient to regulate such features or whether additional rules need to be framed, so that a common standard applies across all services rather than the government dealing with each platform separately.

Origins of the review

The move follows a dispute that began when MeitY issued a notice to WhatsApp questioning its proposed username feature, which would have allowed users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. The government expressed concerns that allowing users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers could significantly increase online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks. The Centre directed WhatsApp not to roll out the feature in India until consultations were completed to the government's satisfaction, and WhatsApp subsequently assured the ministry that it would hold off on launching the feature until discussions concluded.

Around the same time, MeitY sent similar notices to Telegram and Signal, seeking clarification on their existing username features and how the platforms address risks tied to fraud and impersonation. Telegram has since submitted its response, while Signal has yet to reply. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu had earlier said the company's messaging app Arattai would disable its own username feature to comply with the proposed regulatory direction.