India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has expanded its scrutiny of username-based identity systems beyond WhatsApp, issuing notices to Telegram and Signal seeking detailed explanations on how such features will be implemented and regulated. The move comes amid growing concern within the government that usernames, while improving user privacy, may also increase risks related to impersonation, fraud and reduced traceability on digital communication platforms.
The development follows MeitY’s earlier engagement with WhatsApp, where it raised concerns over the platform’s planned introduction of usernames as an alternative to phone numbers. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has been working on the feature as part of a broader shift in how users connect, allowing individuals to interact without necessarily sharing their mobile numbers.
According to officials cited in reports, the government is seeking clarity on how messaging platforms intend to prevent misuse of username-based identities, particularly in cases where users may create disposable or fake profiles to carry out scams or impersonation at scale. The concern is not limited to one platform but extends to any service adopting similar identity models.
Telegram and Signal have now been asked to explain the safeguards built into their systems, including how they handle account verification, abuse prevention and traceability in cases of cybercrime or fraud. The notices signal a broader regulatory focus on how digital identity is structured across encrypted messaging services, rather than a platform-specific intervention.
At the centre of the issue is a structural shift in how users are identified online. Phone numbers, traditionally used as the primary identifier on messaging platforms, are linked to telecom verification systems that introduce a layer of stability and traceability. Usernames, by design, reduce this friction and offer users greater control over their identity and privacy, but also make it easier to create and discard identities quickly.
While messaging platforms have positioned usernames as a privacy-enhancing feature, regulators argue that the same flexibility could be exploited for malicious activity if not supported by strong safeguards and enforcement mechanisms.
WhatsApp has previously stated that its username system is intended to reduce the need for users to share their phone numbers and improve privacy on the platform. It has also indicated that the feature is still in development and will include measures to prevent abuse, though a full rollout timeline has not been confirmed.
The latest development highlights a broader policy challenge for India as it seeks to balance user privacy with accountability in digital communication systems. With encrypted messaging platforms playing a central role in everyday communication, any shift in identity architecture carries implications for both user experience and regulatory oversight.
As consultations continue, the timeline for rollout of username-based systems across platforms remains uncertain. The outcome is likely to shape how digital identity frameworks evolve across messaging services operating in India.
For now, the question facing both regulators and platforms is how to enable greater user control over identity without weakening safeguards against misuse at scale.
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