Centre Mulls Uniform Rules for Messaging Apps After WhatsApp Username Row

Centre Mulls Uniform Rules for Messaging Apps Amid WhatsApp Username Feature Debate: Report

The Centre is considering introducing uniform regulations for messaging platforms as it reviews WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, amid concerns that the new functionality could make impersonation, online fraud and “digital arrest” scams more difficult to detect, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is reportedly working on a common regulatory framework for messaging services to ensure that all platforms are governed by the same standards, rather than having different rules for individual apps.

According to the report, the ministry is also preparing to oppose WhatsApp’s planned username feature, arguing that it could complicate criminal investigations and make it easier for fraudsters to conceal their identities.

“We are not in favour of WhatsApp introducing this feature. Given its massive user base in India, usernames could make impersonation, digital arrest scams, online fraud and even investigations by law enforcement more difficult,” a government official familiar with the matter told HT.

Push for a Common Regulatory Framework

Officials believe existing regulations leave a legal grey area, where one messaging platform could be prevented from introducing a feature while others continue to offer similar functionality.

To address this, MeitY is exploring common standards that would apply across all messaging services operating in India.

“We are also looking at bringing in common standards for messaging platforms so there is legal backing for such decisions. It cannot be that we stop one platform from rolling out a feature while allowing others to continue offering the same thing. The rules have to be uniform for everyone. We will discuss this with all messaging platforms before taking a final decision,” the official said.

WhatsApp, Telegram Respond; Signal Yet to Reply

The development comes after WhatsApp and Telegram submitted responses to notices issued by MeitY, explaining the safeguards built into their username-based systems.

Another official told the publication that the government is currently examining those responses but declined to reveal further details.

Signal, which also received a notice on July 3, is yet to submit its reply.

Meanwhile, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu announced on X that the company would disable the username-based account feature on its messaging app Arattai to comply with the proposed regulatory changes.

Current Rules Don’t Govern Platform Features

Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and Arattai currently operate under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

While these laws require intermediaries to exercise due diligence, assist law enforcement agencies and comply with lawful government orders, they do not prescribe common standards for platform features such as username-based messaging.

According to the report, MeitY is now examining ways to bridge that regulatory gap.

Why the Username Feature Is Under Scrutiny

WhatsApp’s proposed feature would allow users to connect using a unique username instead of sharing their phone number. For example, users could share a handle such as @username while keeping their mobile number private.

The government, however, reportedly fears that such a system could make it easier for fraudsters to impersonate others, conduct phishing attacks, carry out online financial fraud and so-called “digital arrest” scams, while also making it harder for law enforcement agencies to identify suspects during investigations.