WhatsApp Username Feature Triggers Push for Uniform Messaging App Rules: Report

Centre Eyes Uniform Rules for Messaging Apps as WhatsApp Username Feature Comes Under Scanner: Report

The Centre is reportedly working on a common regulatory framework for messaging platforms while reviewing WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, amid concerns that it could facilitate impersonation, online fraud and so-called “digital arrest” scams.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is considering introducing uniform standards for all messaging services operating in India to ensure that similar features are governed by the same rules across platforms.

Officials told the publication that the ministry is also preparing to formally oppose WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, arguing that it could make criminal investigations more challenging by allowing users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers.

“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,” an official familiar with the matter told HT.

MeitY Seeks Level Playing Field

According to the report, the government believes the current regulatory framework lacks clear provisions governing platform-specific features.

Officials said the Centre wants to avoid a situation where one messaging service is barred from launching a feature while competing platforms continue to offer similar functionality.

“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.

The proposed framework would reportedly establish common rules applicable to all messaging platforms before any final decision is taken on individual features.

Responses Under Review

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

Another official told the newspaper that the ministry is reviewing both submissions but declined to disclose their contents.

Signal, which also received a notice from the government on July 3, is yet to respond.

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

Regulatory Gap in Existing IT Rules

Messaging platforms currently operate under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which require intermediaries to exercise due diligence, assist law enforcement agencies and comply with lawful government directions.

However, the existing framework does not lay down common rules on what features messaging platforms can or cannot introduce. According to the report, MeitY is now looking to address that gap through a uniform regulatory approach.

Why WhatsApp’s Username Feature Is Being Examined

WhatsApp is developing a feature that would allow users to communicate through a unique username instead of sharing their phone number. The change is intended to offer greater privacy by letting users connect without disclosing their mobile numbers.

Government officials, however, are concerned that anonymous usernames could make it easier for fraudsters to impersonate individuals, conduct phishing attacks and execute online financial scams, while also making it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace suspects during criminal investigations.