Centre Seeks Answers From Messaging Apps Over Username Features

The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has officially requested WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to pause the rollout of new username-based features. The government’s directive aims to prevent potential misuse of the feature, which could exacerbate the country's rising "digital arrest" and impersonation scams. WhatsApp has been specifically ordered to hold the feature pending further government consultation, while notices have been issued to Telegram and Signal for additional clarification on their existing safeguards.

Regulators are concerned that replacing identifiable mobile numbers with usernames could provide a cloak of anonymity, allowing fraudsters to masquerade as official government or law enforcement entities. Criminals have increasingly used messaging apps to coerce victims by creating artificial, high-pressure scenarios that mirror official communication. MeitY aims to verify if these platforms have robust mechanisms to prevent lookalike handles and unauthorized impersonation, particularly given the deep integration of these apps into daily Indian financial and social interactions.

WhatsApp has maintained that the username feature is optional and designed with multiple layers of defense, including blocking lookalike variations and preventing discovery through public directories. The platform asserts that users remain tethered to verified phone numbers for account creation. Conversely, the government remains skeptical, noting the significant scale of these platforms in India and their obligation to comply with the Information Technology Act. As the standoff continues, the focus has shifted toward whether existing safety measures in Telegram and Signal meet the government’s stringent cybersecurity standards or if further regulatory restrictions are imminent.