India’s Information Technology Ministry sent notices to Telegram and Signal over their existing username features after asking WhatsApp to pause a similar planned rollout, according to sources.

Officials questioned how the messaging apps address fraud and impersonation risks.

Meta said WhatsApp usernames are not live and that users would still need a phone number to use the service, with a gradual rollout planned later this year.

Signal, a US-based encrypted messaging app, said in 2024 that its usernames let people start chats without sharing their phone numbers.

The company said users would still need to register with a phone number and would have controls over who can see them or find them by number.

The scrutiny reflects India’s broader use of intermediary rules to press platforms on due diligence requirements tied to safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, amid wider concern over impersonation and scam risks on digital platforms.

🔗 Source: Press Trust of India

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