Industry Odisha Bureau, July 11: The Centre is working on a common set of rules for messaging platforms operating in India amid the WhatsApp username row. According to a government official familiar with the matter, the move aims to ensure that all messaging apps follow the same standards instead of applying different rules to different platforms.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) has opposed WhatsApp’s plan to introduce usernames. It said that the feature could make impersonation, online fraud, digital arrest scams and law enforcement investigations more difficult.
The official said, “We are not in favour of WhatsApp introducing this feature. Given its large user base in India, usernames could increase the risk of impersonation and fraud while making the investigations harder.”
The government is now considering uniform regulations for messaging platforms so that any future decisions have clear legal backing. Officials said it would not be appropriate to stop one platform from introducing a feature while allowing others to continue offering the same service.
Before finalising the rules, the ministry plans to hold discussions with messaging platforms operating in the country.
The development comes after WhatsApp and Telegram submitted their responses to notices issued by MeitY, explaining the safeguards in place for their username features. Officials said the government is examining the responses. They are, however, yet to share any further details. Signal, which also received a notice, has not yet responded.
Meanwhile, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu announced that the company’s messaging app Arattai would disable its username based account feature to comply with the proposed regulatory changes.
Currently, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and Arattai operate as intermediaries under the IT Act 2000 and IT Rules 2021. While these laws require platforms to assist law enforcement and follow government orders, they do not specify which features messaging apps can or cannot offer.
Amid the WhatsApp username row, the govt’s move has also sparked debate. Digital rights advocates and legal experts are questioning whether the existing law gives MeitY the authority to regulate the design and features of messaging platforms.
