New Delhi: The Centre is considering introducing uniform regulations for messaging platforms as it reviews WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, amid concerns that the new system could increase the risk of online fraud, impersonation and digital arrest scams. The move is aimed at ensuring that all messaging services operating in India are governed by the same standards, regardless of the features they offer.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is reportedly working on a framework that would establish common rules for messaging platforms, providing a clear legal basis for approving or restricting platform features. Officials believe the absence of uniform standards creates a regulatory gap, making it difficult to apply consistent decisions across competing services.
The government is also preparing to oppose WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, arguing that replacing phone number based identification with usernames could make it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace suspects during criminal investigations. Authorities are particularly concerned that anonymous usernames could be misused for impersonation, phishing, financial fraud and digital arrest scams.
The development follows responses submitted by WhatsApp and Telegram after receiving notices from MeitY seeking details about their username based systems and the safeguards built into those features. The government is currently examining the responses, while Signal, which also received a notice, is yet to submit its reply.
The debate has also prompted action from Indian technology companies. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu recently announced that the company’s messaging application, Arattai, would disable its username based account feature to comply with the evolving regulatory requirements.
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 cooperate with law enforcement and comply with legal directives, they do not prescribe uniform rules governing platform features.
WhatsApp’s proposed feature would allow users to connect using unique usernames instead of sharing their mobile numbers. While the change is intended to enhance privacy, the government believes it could also make it easier for fraudsters to conceal their identities and complicate criminal investigations, prompting the push for a common regulatory framework.
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