India Scrutinizes Messaging App Usernames

The Indian government, through its India — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has significantly broadened its regulatory scrutiny of messaging platforms over concerns related to their username features. Initially, a notice was issued to Meta Platforms regarding Meta Platforms — WhatsApp's planned username rollout, demanding a halt to the feature and a detailed explanation of safeguards against online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams, and impersonation. The government expressed fears that the feature could enable malicious actors to solicit victims without traceable phone numbers. Subsequently, similar notices were sent to Telegram and Signal, which already offer username functionalities, asking them to explain their anti-fraud measures. In response, Zoho's messaging platform, Arattai, proactively announced it would disable its username-based accounts to comply with evolving regulatory requirements. Meta Platforms — WhatsApp has defended its feature, stating it has built multiple layers of defense, including reserving high-profile names and limiting new contacts. However, the government remains unconvinced, emphasizing the need for satisfactory consultations before any rollout. This regulatory push highlights India's strong stance on cybersecurity and intermediary accountability, with officials like MeitY Secretary Ajit Krishnan confirming investigations into these features and other cybercrimes, such as a reported data leak at Tata Group.