India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is working on uniform standards for messaging platforms after objections to WhatsApp’s username feature, which the government fears could increase impersonation and online fraud.
- MeitY targets uniform rules for all messaging platforms
- Concerns over impersonation and digital scams rise
- WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal face regulatory scrutiny
What happened
Following Meta's introduction of a username feature on WhatsApp, which lets users communicate through unique handles instead of phone numbers, the Indian government has raised objections. The new feature aims to improve privacy by limiting phone number exposure, but MeitY views it as a potential facilitator for impersonation and digital fraud.
The ministry has issued notices seeking explanations from WhatsApp and other messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal. While WhatsApp and Telegram have responded, Signal has yet to reply. SaaS firm Zoho’s messaging platform Arattai has proactively disabled its username feature to comply with regulatory expectations.
Why it matters
India faces a persistent challenge from cybercrime, with losses exceeding ₹22,000 crore in 2025 alone. The government's apprehension is that usernames, rather than visible phone numbers, could provide cover for cybercriminals, complicating law enforcement investigations and increasing risks of scams and impersonation.
The move to impose uniform social media and messaging standards seeks to close regulatory gaps seen in current frameworks, where some platforms introduce features unchecked while others are restricted. Establishing consistent regulation would ensure all messaging services comply with due diligence and cybersecurity requirements mandated under Indian law.
What to watch next
MeitY plans to engage with messaging platform providers to draft comprehensive rules governing feature rollouts across the board. Observers should monitor if these consultations lead to enforceable regulations that could affect feature availability and user experience on major messaging apps in India.
The ongoing responses from WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to government notices, and any formal regulatory actions taken, will be critical indicators of India's approach to balancing innovation with cybersecurity and consumer protection in the rapidly evolving digital communication space.