Centre plans uniform rules for messaging platforms after WhatsApp username row

India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) is actively developing common standards for messaging platforms operating within the country. This initiative comes as the ministry has formally opposed WhatsApp's proposed username feature. Concerns cited include the potential for increased impersonation, online fraud, digital arrest scams, and significant hurdles for law enforcement investigations.

A government official familiar with the matter stated, "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." With over three billion users globally, India represents one of WhatsApp's largest markets.

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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

The push for uniform standards is an attempt to address a newly identified regulatory gap. Currently, the ministry can block a feature on one platform while similar features remain available on competing services, lacking explicit rules to govern such actions. "We are also looking at bringing in common standards for messaging platforms so there is legal backing for such decisions," the official explained. "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."

This development follows responses submitted by WhatsApp and Telegram to Meity's notices regarding their username features. Signal, which also received a notice, has yet to reply. Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Arattai operate in India as intermediaries under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and related rules, obligating them to exercise due diligence and assist law enforcement. However, neither the act nor the rules currently provide common guidelines on the features messaging platforms can offer, a gap Meity intends to close.

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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