NEW DELHI: The Centre has widened its scrutiny of messaging platforms with username-based communication, with the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) issuing notices to Telegram and Signal days after directing WhatsApp to justify its proposed username feature and pause its rollout in India.According to sources quoted by PTI, the notices to Telegram and Signal raise questions over their existing username feature and seek details on how the platforms are addressing concerns related to fraud and impersonation.The government has specifically asked Telegram why it should be allowed to retain the username feature.The latest move comes a day after the Centre issued a notice to Meta over WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, expressing concerns that it could materially increase online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks. The government also directed WhatsApp to keep the rollout on hold until consultations on the issue are completed “to the satisfaction of the Government”.According to the sources, MeitY has now extended its scrutiny to other messaging platforms that already allow users to communicate through usernames rather than mobile numbers.The government’s concerns centre on the possibility that anonymous usernames could make it easier for fraudsters to contact users without revealing their phone numbers, making cybercrime and impersonation more difficult to trace.In its notice to WhatsApp, the Centre said the proposed feature could “materially increase” cases of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks by enabling bad actors to solicit and message victims.Meta has also been asked to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and related rules over WhatsApp’s proposed feature. The government reminded the company that WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, is required to comply with due diligence obligations under the IT Act.India is WhatsApp’s largest market, with more than 500 million users. The company defended the feature on Wednesday, saying it has built multiple safeguards to prevent scams and impersonation.Separately, a government letter reviewed by Reuters showed India has asked WhatsApp to justify the feature and freeze its rollout pending consultations. The July 1 letter reportedly gave the company three days to respond.Responding to Reuters, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the feature is not yet live and “would roll out slowly later this year”, adding that users would still need a phone number to register and that senders must know “a person’s exact username to message them.”The latest regulatory action follows heightened scrutiny of Telegram over concerns relating to fraud, impersonation and the circulation of sensitive content. The platform was temporarily blocked in India until June 22 over its alleged failure to curb the circulation of leaked and fake NEET examination papers and other fraudulent content before services were restored after the week-long restriction expired.
