The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is set to issue notices to Telegram and Signal over their username-based messaging features, a day after directing WhatsApp to pause the rollout of a similar feature.
According to government officials, the notices are expected to be sent on Friday as part of the Centre’s broader effort to address concerns related to online safety, identity verification and digital fraud.
Why the Government Is Concerned
Officials believe that allowing users to communicate through usernames instead of mobile numbers could make it more difficult to identify who is sending messages.
The government has expressed concerns that the feature may increase the risk of:
- Identity theft
- Online impersonation
- Phishing scams
- Digital fraud
- Reduced user traceability
Authorities say these risks are especially significant in India, where impersonation-based cybercrime has become increasingly common.
WhatsApp Asked to Pause Username Rollout
Earlier this week, MeitY issued a notice to WhatsApp directing the company to temporarily halt the rollout of its username feature and submit a detailed explanation within three days.
Government officials also met WhatsApp representatives on Thursday to discuss the issue.
According to people familiar with the discussions, WhatsApp requested additional time to respond because of the upcoming weekend. The ministry is expected to consider the request after receiving a formal application.
WhatsApp has clarified that the username feature has not yet been launched publicly and is scheduled for a phased rollout later this year.
The company also said usernames resembling public figures, government agencies and celebrities have been reserved to prevent misuse and impersonation.
Telegram and Signal Also Under Review
Government officials said the same regulatory standards apply to all messaging platforms.
While Telegram and Signal have so far received less attention than WhatsApp, both platforms are expected to receive similar notices regarding their username-based communication systems.
Officials said the objective is to ensure that all messaging services follow the same safety and compliance requirements.
WhatsApp’s Scale Raises Additional Concerns
According to officials, WhatsApp’s massive user base makes the issue particularly significant.
The platform reportedly facilitates around 500 million calls every day in India, compared with approximately 25 million daily calls on Telegram.
Officials believe WhatsApp’s widespread adoption means any security or identity-related risks could affect a much larger number of users.
Arattai Responds to Regulatory Developments
Indian messaging platform Arattai has already announced changes in response to the evolving regulatory environment.
Founder Sridhar Vembu said the company will disable its username-based account feature to comply with the government’s regulatory requirements, although no additional details were provided.
SIM-Binding Rules Already Apply
WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Arattai and Snapchat are already covered under the Department of Telecommunications’ SIM-binding regulations.
These rules require messaging accounts to remain linked to valid SIM cards for improved traceability. They also require web sessions to be automatically logged out at least once every six hours.
Government Focuses on Digital Safety
The latest notices reflect the government’s increasing focus on strengthening digital security and reducing cyber fraud on messaging platforms.
As discussions continue, officials are expected to evaluate responses from the companies before deciding whether additional regulatory measures are necessary.
